Passport Soccer

AFCON 2025 Preview: Cameroon

Cameroon are one of the most successful countries in Africa Cup of Nations history, winning the continental competition 5 times. The Indomitable Lions cruised through qualifying, going unbeaten and only conceding twice.

But the off field build up to the tournament has been less than ideal. Tensions between head coach Marc Brys and President of the Cameroon Football Federation Samuel Eto’o finally came to a head after Cameroon failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup. Eto’o was subsequently re-elected to a second term as federation president. One of the first orders of business in his new term was to fire Marc Brys, just weeks before the start of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The tension between Brys and Eto’o stems all the way back to Brys’s appointment as Cameroon head coach, with many reporting that the hire was done by the Cameroon Ministry of Sport, and without Eto’o’s blessing. Brys has not taken the news well, and even released his own squad list for the tournament despite being let go.

Brys was replaced by his former assistant David Pagou. Pagou comes from a military family and has promised to instill a sense of discipline in the Cameroon squad. The squad announcement for the AFCON showed that Pagou, along with Eto’o, wanted to make wholesale changes, leaving some big names out including André Onana, Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui, and captain Vincent Aboubakar.

Cameroon will also be without one of their most influential players in Napoli midfielder André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, who will miss the tournament through injury.

This really looks like the start of a fresh new direction for Cameroon, especially in attack. Two exciting strikers in Christian Kofane and Karl Etta Eyong will vie to lead the line and follow in the footsteps of the great Samuel Eto’o.

Despite all the drama which seems to unfortunately be a common theme in Cameroonian football, you can never count out the Indomitable Lions at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Potential Starting XI

Coach

David Pagou

Pagou has spent his whole coaching career in Cameroon, with his most recent head coaching role being with Coton Sport FC. This is by far the highest profile job Pagou has had.

Players to Watch

Bryan Mbeumo
Age: 26
Position: RW/LW
Caps/Goals: 27/7
Club: Manchester United FC (England)

Mbeumo is the current star of this Indomitable Lions squad. Much will be expected of the Manchester United winger, especially given the strong form he’s shown at club level this season.

Carlos Baleba
Age: 21
Position: CM
Caps/Goals: 11/0
Club: Brighton & Hove Albion (England)

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Baleba is seen as one of the real hopes of the Cameroon national team. The 21 year old midfielder has made waves in the Premier League and is being sought out by some of the biggest clubs in Europe. This will be Baleba’s first AFCON experience.