AFCON: Carlos Baleba says ‘young’ Cameroon will challenge big teams

Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba has revealed their readiness to challenge the biggest teams competitng at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

The 35th edition of the AFCON got underway on Saturday with hosts Morocco defeating Comoros 2-0 in a Group A fixture at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

🔴 Carlos Baleba affiche clairement ses ambitions avant la CAN

🦁🇨🇲 « Je suis fier de représenter le Cameroun et je donnerai tout pour gagner cette CAN. C’est un rêve. »

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— La Tanière²³⁷ 🦁 (@lataniere237) December 20, 2025

For the Indomitable Lions, they will kick off their campaign on Wednesday against Gabon at Stade Adrar. Ahead of the opener, the Brighton defender in the Premier League, is confident of a good showing from the West African side.

Cameroon last won the AFCON in 2017

“We are young, that’s true, but just because we’re young doesn’t mean we can’t challenge the biggest teams. It’s a first AFCON for many of us, but I think they’re just as excited as I am to start their first tournament,”Baleba told on Canal + Sport as quoted by Foot Africa.

“There are teammates I was with in the academy and whom I’ve already played against at club level. I think we’ll have good chemistry, because the group is very united. I can’t wait to get started.

“I’m proud to represent Cameroon in this Africa Cup. I’m going to give my all in this tournament and I want to win the AFCON for my country, because it’s my dream to win with Cameroon.”

After playing against Gabon, Cameroon’s next matches in Group F will be against Ivory Coast and Mozambique.

Cameroon won its first tournament in 1984, Cameroon emerged and became a fearsome power of the tournament, winning the tournament again in 2000 and 2002.

The 2017 tournament was the last tournament to date Cameroon has won.