Onana Excluded from Cameroon Afcon Roster & Coach Dismissed
Chaos Within the Team Following Coaching Shakeup
In a significant turn of events, Andre Onana has been omitted from Cameroon’s team for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) as the national squad faces turmoil after the termination of head coach Marc Brys over claims of “subterfuge.”
Just days after Samuel Eto’o was re-elected as president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot), he, along with the executive committee, made headlines with Brys’ unexpected dismissal highlighted in a critical announcement.
Allegations Aimed at Brys
The statement outlined numerous charges against Brys, principally citing “professional failure,” which included accusations of persuading players to oppose Fecafoot’s directives.
Brys, who was brought on board by the Cameroonian sports ministry in April 2024, faced criticism from Eto’o even before his appointment. Other serious allegations include claims of collusion with unidentified individuals within Fecafoot, alongside accusations of non-attendance at meetings, failure to communicate training schedules, and undermining relationships with sponsors. Furthermore, Brys was said to have evaded his professional duty to conduct press events.
Assistant coach David Pagou, a well-regarded figure in Cameroonian football with a successful coaching background, has stepped in as Brys’ replacement.
However, Pagou’s roster for the forthcoming Afcon in Morocco, starting on December 21, lacks several notable players.
Missing Key Players
Among those absent from the 28-man squad are goalkeeper Onana, team leader Vincent Aboubakar, Napoli midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, and defender Michael Ngadeu.
While Anguissa’s absence is attributed to injury, no official reason has been provided for the exclusion of the other players.
Continued Coaching Changes Under Eto’o
The friction between Fecafoot and the ministry of sports over Brys’ contract had simmered since his hiring. Brys’ removal is a continuation of coaching changes since Eto’o’s election in December 2021, which also saw the dismissal of former coach Toni Conceicao, who led Cameroon to a respectable third-place finish in the 2021 Afcon against considerable institutional resistance.
Eto’o, who has a significant role in reshaping the national team, appointed Rigobert Song despite initial hesitations from the sports ministry. After a disappointing performance at the last Afcon, Song’s tenure ended with his replacement by Brys, whose short-lived term featured a tumultuous dynamic with Eto’o.
The departure of Brys, particularly following the national team’s failure to secure a spot in next year’s World Cup, seems to have granted Eto’o the leverage he had sought all along.
Despite the recent upheaval, it remains uncertain if the sports ministry will approve of Fecafoot’s direction following Brys’ sacking, as they have so far remained silent on the issue.
Analyst Njie Enow noted the challenges ahead for a new coach in establishing a cohesive system with the team amidst such instability. The upheaval, combined with Brys’ dismissal just weeks before a significant tournament, adds to a series of controversies under Eto’o’s administration, which have been rife with conflicts and discontent from various stakeholders in Cameroonian football.
Is Onana’s International Future in Jeopardy?
Onana’s exclusion stands out among notable absentees from the Afcon lineup. Though he has earned 59 caps, his exclusion may not be entirely unexpected given his inconsistent performances at Manchester United prior to his loan to Trabzonspor in September, alongside his recent struggles in critical matches.
His departure from the national team raised eyebrows following an early exit at Qatar 2022 and diminished playing time at the 2023 Afcon due to late arrival as he prioritized club duties.
After starting in last month’s World Cup qualifier defeat against DR Congo, Onana’s absence is glaring, notably with the squad now featuring four goalkeepers.
Teammate Bryan Mbeumo and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba have made the cut, yet the team faces a tough road ahead without the experience of Napoli’s Anguissa, who is concentrating on recovery from a hamstring injury.
With key players missing, Cameroon must navigate a formidable group in Morocco, facing the defending champions Ivory Coast, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s Gabon, and Mozambique in Group F.
