AFCON: Newly appointed Cameroon coach picks surprise squad

The Cameroon national team had an eventful Monday with the Indomitable Lions unveiling their squad for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)….as well as a new coach.

 

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The Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT), after a period of notable silence following the national team’s disappointing elimination from 2026 World Cup qualifying, made two notable announcements in quick succession on Monday. The FECAFOOT Emergency Committee announced that local-based coach David Pagou will take charge for the AFCON finals, confirming the departure of embattled now former coach Marc Brys.

This development was confirmed in a video announcement made by the Emergency Committee in the last hour.

And that was only the first surprise of the day! The second surprise came with the announcement of the Indomitable Lions squad for the upcoming AFCON finals in Morocco, which begin on December 21.

Many notable team leaders and veterans were left out of the final squad. Vincent Aboubakar, the captain during 2026 World Cup qualifying, was dropped in a move that was not particularly surprising considering the striker’s decreasing role and increasing age. However, the real shock arrived when goalkeeper André Onana was not seen on the list. Napoli midfielder André-Frank Zambo Anguissa is also apparently not included.

The Trabzonspor goalkeeper, on loan from Manchester United, is enjoying a strong season in the Turkish top flight but continues to be a subject of discussion for unwanted reasons when he arrives for national team duty. Local media indicated that there was a notable leadership crisis when Onana was appointed captain for the final two matchdays of World Cup qualifying, a moment that undermined former coach Brys while indicating the giant mess behind the scenes in the Indomitable Lions camp.

Much like the 2022 World Cup when Onana was sent home by coach Rigobert Song due to his behavior, this time the former Inter Milan goalkeeper will not make the trip. Devis Epassy, who admirably filled in for Onana in 2022, appears set to be the #1 with FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo shot stopper Simon Omossola, young keeper Simon Ngapandouetnbu and local-based keeper Edouard Sombang as the veteran’s deputies.

Another veteran and team leader who was in the squad during the leadership crisis, central defender Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui, was also dropped from the final list. Other experienced regulars in the defender corps who will make the trip are Jean-Charles Castelletto and Nouhou Tolo. In another notable shakeup, Wolverhamption Wanderers right back Jackson Tchatchoua is not included while Spartak Moscow center back Christopher Wooh returns to the team.

Carlos Baleba retains his place and is the most pedigreed midfielder in the group without the presence of Anguissa. Olivier Kemen appears likely to have a significant role while Jean Onana is also in the list despite a notable lack of playing time for his club.

At the forward position, Christian Kofane is set for a debut after impressing at Bayer Leverkusen. The young forward was not included for the 2026 World Cup qualifying playoff due to the ongoing dispute between coach Brys and FECAFOOT.

Without Aboubakar, talented young forwards Karl Etta Eyong and Kofane appear set for an increased role under Pagou in support of star forward Bryan Mbeumo. Wingers Georges-Kévin N’Koudou, Danny Namaso, Christian Bassogog and Frank Magri are other notable names in the group of attackers. Eric Choupo-Moting is another experienced player who was dropped for the AFCON.

Cameroon are in a difficult Group F that also includes Gabon, Mozambique and defending champions Ivory Coast. The Indomitable Lions begin play on December 24 against Gabon.