Andre Onana left out of AFCON squad as Cameroon appoints new coach

On Monday, Cameroon’s Football Federation (CFF) annouced that Marc Brys had been sacked. CFF accused the Belgian head coach of “professional failure“, “inciting players against” the Federation and “subterfuge to evade his professional obligation to hold press conferences“. The decision to dismiss him comes after Cameroon’s 1-0 loss to DR Congo in the African leg of the Intercontinental Playoffs, which ended their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Brys has since been replaced by one of his assistant coaches, David Pagou (56). The 56-year-old has previously managed Cameroonian clubs including PWD Bamenda and Coton Sport.

Cameroon's new head coach has set out his 28-man player unit for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Among the notable inclusions are Carlos Baleba (Brighton & Hove Albion) and Bryan Mbeumo (Manchester United). Surprisingly, goalkeeper Andre Onana has been omitted from Marc Brys’s list.

Onana is currently on loan at Turkish side Trabzonspor after an underwhelming two year stay at Man United. The Cameroonian goalkeeper has featured in 10 games for the club, conceded 11 goals and kept 3 clean sheets in all competitions. For the national team, he has made more than 50 appearances and featured in all of Cameroon’s recent World Cup qualifiers.

Cameroon squad for AFCON 2025

Goalkeepers: Devis Epassy (Dinamo Bucharest), Simon Omossola (St Eloi Lupopo), Simon Ngapandouetnbu (Montpellier), Edouard Sombang (Colombe Du Dja)

Defenders: Samuel Kotto (Gent), Gerzino Nyamsi (Lokomotiv Moscow), Jean-Charles Castelletto (Al-Duhail), Nouhou Tolo (Seattle Sounders), Flavien Enzo Boyomo (Osasuna), Mahamadou Nagida (Rennes), Christopher Wooh (Spartak Moscow), Junior Tchamadeu (Stoke City), Darlin Yongwa (FC Lorient)

Midfielders: Martin Ndzie (Rapid Vienna), Carlos Baleba (Brighton & Hove Albion), Arthur Avom (FC Lorient), Eric-Junior Dina Ebimbe (Brest), Brice Ambina (Valerenga), Jean Junior Onana (Genoa), Olivier Kemen (Istanbul B.B)

Forwards: Bryan Mbeumo (Manchester United), Christian Bassogog (Al-Okhdood), George-Kevin N’koudou (Al-Diriyah), Danny Namaso (Auxerre), Frank Magri (Toulouse), Karl Etta Eyong (Levante), Christian Kofane (Bayer Leverkusen), Patrick Soko (Almeria)