Cameroon Drops Andre Onana as AFCON Turmoil Grows Under Eto’o’s Leadership

Cameroon’s preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations have been thrown into confusion after goalkeeper Andre Onana was left out of the squad and head coach Marc Brys was removed just weeks before the tournament in Morocco. The decision follows a long standoff between the Cameroonian Football Federation led by Samuel Eto’o and the Ministry of Sports.

Brys, who was appointed by the ministry in 2024, was dismissed after a long list of accusations from Fecafoot. The federation accused him of professional failures, refusing to cooperate with officials, withholding training plans, damaging sponsor relationships and inciting players to undermine leadership. The dispute is the latest chapter in a power struggle that has shaped Cameroonian football since Eto’o became federation president.

David Pagou, one of Brys’ assistants, has now been appointed to lead the team. His squad is missing major names. Along with Onana, captain Vincent Aboubakar, midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and defender Michael Ngadeu are all absent. Anguissa is recovering from injury. No explanation has been given for the other exclusions.

This decision highlights a wider crisis. Coaching changes have become constant under Eto’o. Since 2021, Cameroon has dismissed multiple managers. Toni Conceição was pushed out after a third-place Afcon finish. Rigobert Song was removed after a poor Afcon campaign. Brys was appointed, dismissed, reinstated and removed again. Each departure deepens the uncertainty around the national team.

The confusion comes after Cameroon failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, losing to DR Congo in the African play-offs. Analysts in Cameroon say it will be difficult for a new coach to build a functioning system in such a short time. The team now enters Afcon without key players and with a leadership crisis still unfolding between the federation and the ministry.

For Onana, this may be another turning point in a complicated international career. He was suspended during the 2022 World Cup after disagreements with management. He also delayed joining the team at Afcon 2023 and lost his starting place. His move to Trabzonspor helped him regain the number one shirt under Brys, but his omission now raises questions about his future with the Indomitable Lions.

Cameroon faces a difficult group in Morocco. The team will play Ivory Coast, Gabon and Mozambique. Without experience and stability, the road is complex. The situation reflects a deeper challenge within African football leadership. Governance disputes continue to affect performance on the field. Powerful federations and ministries often clash, and players get caught in the middle.

For Africa, Cameroon’s troubles are a reminder of why reforms in sports governance remain essential. Football is a global economic and cultural asset for the continent. Stability, accountability and clear leadership structures are critical if African nations want to compete and grow. The outcome of Cameroon’s campaign will signal whether the current system can support long-term progress or if deeper changes are needed.

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