Andre Onana has been excluded from Cameroon’s squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), as the team faces turmoil following the sacking of head coach Marc Brys amid claims of “subterfuge.”
Just days after his re-election as president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot), Samuel Eto’o and his executive committee made the announcement about Brys’ dismissal in a striking statement.
Advertisement
The statement includes a wide range of accusations against Brys for “professional failures,” including claims that he encouraged players to go against Fecafoot. The Belgian coach, who was appointed by the sports ministry in April 2024—an appointment Eto’o sought to overturn—faces allegations of colluding with unidentified individuals within Fecafoot, skipping meetings, withholding training plans, damaging sponsor relations, delaying squad announcements, and using “subterfuge” to avoid press conferences.
His assistant, David Pagou, an experienced coach in the Cameroonian league, has taken over as head coach.
Advertisement
However, Pagou’s squad for the Afcon in Morocco, beginning on December 21, lacks several prominent players, including Onana, team captain Vincent Aboubakar, Napoli midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, and defender Michael Ngadeu. While Anguissa is sidelined due to injury, no explanations have been provided for the absence of the others.
Continued Coaching Turmoil Under Eto’o
Since Brys’ appointment, tensions have escalated between Fecafoot and Cameroon’s sports ministry regarding the legitimacy of his contract.
He is not the first coach to be let go during Eto’o’s tenure. Shortly after Eto’o was elected in December 2021, he oversaw the firing of Portuguese coach Toni Conceicao, who had led Cameroon to a third-place finish in the 2021 Afcon, despite pushback from the ministry.
Another football legend, Rigobert Song, was appointed as Conceicao’s successor, at the direction of President Paul Biya. Song, believed to be favored by Eto’o, managed the team during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar—where Onana’s tenure ended early due to a suspension—but a disappointing performance at the last Afcon in Ivory Coast resulted in his departure.
The sports ministry’s choice of Brys as Song’s successor surprised Fecafoot, resulting in “great astonishment.”
Advertisement
Less than two months after his hiring, Brys was dismissed following a heated confrontation with Eto’o but was reinstated just two days later after an apology from the federation president.
Eto’o was absent for Brys’ unveiling, stating he received an invitation only two hours prior and was occupied with his father’s funeral arrangements. [Michel Mvondo/BBC]
Brys’ failure to qualify for the next year’s World Cup, after a defeat to DR Congo in the African play-offs, appears to have finally aligned with Eto’o’s vision.
However, it remains uncertain whether the ministry, responsible for the head coach’s salary, will accept Fecafoot and Eto’o’s decisions. Currently, the ministry has not issued any statements.
Camarooian analyst Njie Enow expressed concerns to BBC Sport Africa, stating, “It’s hard to envision how a new manager will formulate a playing system and enable players to connect and perform as a cohesive unit.”
Advertisement
Regardless of what transpires on the field, the allegations against Brys and his dismissal just weeks before a significant tournament exemplify the ongoing turmoil under Eto’o’s leadership, characterized by numerous scandals and resistance from the football community.
Is Onana’s International Career Finished?
Onana, who has earned 59 caps, is the most notable name absent from Cameroon’s Afcon lineup.
His omission is not entirely shocking, considering his recent performances at Manchester United before being loaned to Turkish club Trabzonspor in September, along with his previous tournament experiences.
Advertisement
Not only did he exit early from the Qatar 2022 tournament, but he also lost his starting position during the 2023 Afcon after delaying his entry to play an additional match for United.
He missed the opening group game against Guinea due to this decision, but rejoined the squad during the 3-1 loss against Senegal, where he was arguably to blame for the first goal.
Fabrice Ondoa then took his place for the team’s victory against The Gambia and the loss to Nigeria in the last 16.
Though Onana’s move to Trabzonspor helped him reclaim his role as Cameroon’s first-choice goalkeeper under Brys, he started in the recent playoff defeat to DR Congo.
Advertisement
Now, without Brys, the 29-year-old finds himself sidelined from a squad that includes four goalkeepers.
Onana’s teammate at Old Trafford, Bryan Mbeumo, is among those selected, alongside Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, while Wolves defender Jackson Tchatchoua, who participated in the DR Congo match, has not been included.
Cameroon will feel the absence of Anguissa, their Serie A champion, who will miss the tournament due to a hamstring injury sustained last month as he prioritizes recovery with Napoli.
With several key players missing, the Indomitable Lions face a challenging draw in Morocco, competing against defending champions Ivory Coast, Gabon with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Mozambique in Group F.