A National Team Divided on the Road to AFCON 2025

Cameroon heads into the Africa Cup of Nations engulfed in one of the most extraordinary crises in its football history. With less than two weeks until their opening match against Gabon, the Indomitable Lions find themselves with two competing squad lists and two coaches who both claim legitimate authority. What should have been a focused preparation period has spiraled into confusion, tension, and public conflict.

At the center of the turmoil is a dramatic standoff between Samuel Eto’o, president of the Cameroonian Football Federation, and Marc Brys, who was appointed by the Ministry of Sports. Despite Eto’o announcing Brys’ dismissal, the Belgian insists his contract remains valid and refuses to step aside. Eto’o responded by naming David Pagou as the new coach and unveiling a completely different 28-man squad for AFCON.

Eto’o vs. Brys: A Public Feud That Has Exploded

The conflict intensified when Brys launched a direct attack on Eto’o, calling him “narcissistic” and accusing him of prioritizing personal interests over the nation. Their fractured relationship dates back to their first meeting, and Brys claims Eto’o had been looking for a way to push him out from the start. Eto’o’s AFCON list, which excluded stars like André Onana, Eric Choupo-Moting, and Vincent Aboubakar, only deepened suspicions of internal power games.

Refusing to accept his removal, Brys responded by releasing his own squad list and declaring he is still the rightful head coach unless an official presidential decree states otherwise. This unprecedented scenario has left players, staff, and fans unsure of who will actually lead the Indomitable Lions into AFCON—and which squad will be recognized.

A Crisis Intensified by Recent Sporting Failure

This internal war arrives at a moment when Cameroon is already weakened by recent failures. The team missed out on qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, finishing below Cape Verde and later losing to DR Congo in the CAF playoff. For a five-time African champion, the setback was already considered a national embarrassment.

Compounding the crisis is Eto’o’s controversial tenure as federation president, marked by a FIFA ban from national team matches, accusations of corruption and electoral interference, and repeated disputes with technical staff. The ongoing feud with Brys now amplifies a sense of instability that overshadows any sporting objectives heading into the tournament.

A Future Clouded by Uncertainty

With AFCON set to begin in a matter of days, Cameroon stands at a crossroads. Only one coach can lead the team on December 24, yet no final decision has been communicated regarding who holds true authority—or which squad will travel to Morocco. Behind the scenes, political and sporting forces continue to push in opposite directions.

What is clear is that Cameroon enters AFCON amid one of the most chaotic institutional crises in African football. For a nation built on a proud football legacy, the hope now is simply that a resolution emerges in time to restore some sense of direction before the competition begins.