The Indomitable Lions face Gabon tonight in Agadir for their AFCON 2025 opener. But beyond the pitch, a full-blown institutional crisis has been shaking the Cameroonian national team for weeks.
Head coach sacked 20 days before the tournament
Belgian coach Marc Brys didn't survive his conflict with Samuel Eto'o. After eighteen months of tensions with the freshly re-elected Cameroonian FA president, the coach was dismissed and replaced by his assistant David Pagou (56), completely inexperienced at the highest level. This change just twenty days before the competition illustrates Eto'o's grip on the national team, overriding directives from Sports Minister Narcisse Mouelle Kombi.
A squad stripped of its key players
The absences are piling up, leaving an almost unrecognizable starting eleven:
- André Onana (Manchester United): the world-class goalkeeper was left out due to management difficulties. He was already suspended for indiscipline at the 2022 World Cup before the historic victory against Brazil.
- Zambo-Anguissa (Napoli): the Serie A champion and Cameroon's best current player is ruled out through injury.
- Michael Ngadeu: the central defender was dropped from the squad, likely due to tensions with Eto'o.
- Vincent Aboubakar: the 2017 AFCON hero was not called up.
A crisis that goes beyond AFCON
This chaos is part of a broader sporting collapse. Cameroon, the African nation with the most World Cup appearances (eight), just failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Overtaken by Cape Verde and then beaten by DR Congo in the playoffs, the Indomitable Lions experienced an earthquake that triggered this major overhaul.
Tactical audit: what solutions for Pagou?
In goal, Dévis Epassy (Dinamo Bucharest) should inherit the position. He was the one who kept goal during the victory against Brazil at the 2022 World Cup. The new staff named three captains: Epassy, midfielder Christian Bassogog, and defender Nouhou Tolo.
Youth represents the main hope. Carlos Baleba (Brighton, 21) must prove his worth after a fatal error that cost World Cup qualification. Even more exciting, Christian Kofane (19, Leverkusen) arrives with no caps but enormous potential seen in the Bundesliga.
Some experienced players ensure the transition: Bryan Mbeumo (Manchester United) and Franck Magri (Toulouse) in attack offer quality guarantees.
The group verdict
The draw doesn't do the Lions any favors. After Gabon and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang tonight, Cameroon faces the defending champions Ivory Coast. A tough group that leaves no room for error.
Historically, Cameroon thrives in adversity. In 1990, arriving poorly prepared at the Italian World Cup, they reached a historic quarter-final. In 2017, considered outsiders, they won AFCON. Could this chaos paradoxically serve as a catalyst? The answer comes tonight at 9 PM in Agadir.