AFCON: Onana dropped from Cameroon squad after coach Brys sacking

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has been left out of Cameroon’s squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), as the Indomitable Lions spiral into crisis following the sacking of head coach Marc Brys.

The decision comes just days after Samuel Eto’o was re-elected as president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot). In a strongly worded statement, Fecafoot dismissed Brys, accusing him of “professional failure,” “inciting players to defy the federation,” and using “subterfuge” to avoid his responsibilities.

Read Also: AFCON 2025: Premier League set to lose over 40 African players in December

Cameroon’s sports ministry appointed the Belgian coach in April 2024 in a move Eto’o opposed from the outset.

Brys has now been replaced by his assistant, David Pagou, a local coach tasked with steadying the team ahead of the AFCON 2025 in Morocco from December 21 to January 18.

Pagou’s 28-man squad has raised eyebrows, with several major names omitted. Alongside Onana, long-serving captain Vincent Aboubakar, Napoli midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, and defender Michael Ngadeu have all been dropped.

While Anguissa is currently injured, no official explanation has been provided for the other high-profile exclusions.

The overhaul leaves Cameroon heading into AFCON 2025 under intense scrutiny and without some of its most experienced players.

Head of Sports at BusinessDay Media, a seasoned Digital Content Producer, and FIFA/CAF Accredited Journalist with over a decade of sports reporting.Has a deep understanding of the Nigerian and global sports landscape and skills in delivering comprehensive and insightful sports content.

Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date