Two Cameroon coaches for AFCON, two squads, and one victim – Andre Onana
.jpg)
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 11.12.25. | 18:20
Chaos in Cameroon ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations: sacked coach releases squad with Onana, new coach without him
Marc Brys, Cameroon manager, has chosen to ignore reports of his dismissal, instead going ahead with naming his squad for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The Belgian coach has been in conflict with Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot) president Samuel Eto'o, and although he was reportedly removed from his position, Brys remains steadfast, having yet to receive a formal termination notice.
He is still under contract with the Ministry of Sport until September 2026, and until official documentation is presented, he is refusing to accept his sacking from Eto'o — with whom he has clashed heavily over the past year.
CAMEROON AFCON DILEMMA!
— Official54fx (@54footballx) December 10, 2025
-Cameroon "sacked" Marc Brys
-Brys doesn't want to go, says he hasn't received an official termination notice
-Cameroon appoint David Pagou according to FIFA
-David Pagou releases AFCON Squad
-Marc Brys also reportedly names his own AFCON squad
Who is… pic.twitter.com/dBoOBw5DDk
David Pagou is expected to be announced as Brys' official replacement, already listed as Cameroon's manager on FIFA's website. Yet, the situation remains chaotic, and Brys appears determined to stay involved, going so far as to select the squad he plans to take to Morocco for the AFCON tournament. One of the biggest confusions and questions is destiny of Andre Onana.
Onana has endured a challenging few years. After joining Manchester United from Inter Milan in 2023, the 29-year-old struggled, committing multiple high-profile errors across two seasons and eventually losing his starting spot under Ruben Amorim. Altay Bayindir initially stepped in as the backup, but summer signing Senne Lammens has since taken over between the posts, settling into Old Trafford life smoothly.
Cameroon has two squads for #AFCON2025. One named by Brys (which has Onana) and the other named by his assistant, David Pagou (without Onana).
— Zachary Oguda (@zaxoguda) December 10, 2025
Etoó is backing Pagou while the Government is backing Bryce.
The deadline for submitting AFCON squads to CAF is tomorrow.@pepeta_ke pic.twitter.com/ex2emiBo5m
Currently on loan at Trabzonspor, Onana was not included in Pagou's final AFCON squad. However, if Brys retains control, he could see a recall, having been named on the manager’s alternative list. Onana has had prior disciplinary issues with the national team, most notably being sent home from the 2022 World Cup by then-manager Rigobert Song. After limited appearances in 2023, he has been more involved over the past two years.
Also included in Brys' squad are Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo, Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, former Bayern Munich and Stoke striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, and Aboubakar, who ranks second only to Eto'o among Cameroon's all-time leading scorers.
