Cameroon's preparations for the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) have been plunged into unprecedented chaos, with players including Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo and former Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana caught in a bewildering power struggle between two managers claiming to be in charge.
A Tale of Two Squads and a Bitter Feud
The crisis stems from a bitter dispute between Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT) president Samuel Eto'o and the national team's former coach, Marc Brys. Eto'o, the legendary former striker re-elected with 97% of the vote, dismissed Belgian coach Brys earlier this month, appointing David Pagou in his place. However, Brys insists he has received no formal communication of his sacking and continues to act as manager.
This extraordinary stand-off has resulted in two separate Cameroon squad lists being issued for the tournament in Morocco. Bryan Mbeumo, a key attacker, finds himself named in both squads, a rare point of clarity for the player. The situation is far less clear for his former club colleague, Andre Onana.
Onana and Veterans Axed in Alleged Power Play
While Mbeumo is selected by both would-be bosses, Onana's name appears only on the list submitted by Marc Brys. The new list from appointed coach David Pagou conspicuously omits the goalkeeper, along with other experienced internationals Vincent Aboubakar, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, and Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui.
Brys has launched a fierce attack on Eto'o, claiming the quartet have been excluded for political reasons. "Eto'o has left out important players, and leaders, because he's obviously the one who made this list," Brys told Afrik Foot. "How can you go to such a tournament without a world-class goalkeeper, or without Aboubakar? Because these are players with character, who stand up to the president."
The federation's official stance, however, is definitive. A Cameroonian official confirmed to ESPN that any player named by Brys but not by Pagou will not be involved in the tournament.
Tournament Looms Amidst Administrative Shambles
With the AFCON competition set to begin on December 21, the Indomitable Lions are in disarray. Cameroon's first Group D match is scheduled for Christmas Eve against Gabon, followed by fixtures against Ivory Coast on December 28 and Mozambique on New Year's Eve.
The roots of the conflict trace back to Brys's original appointment by Cameroon's sports ministry, a decision that reportedly angered Eto'o. Upon his re-election, Eto'o moved quickly to dismiss Brys, with the federation's committee alleging the coach committed 11 infractions, including "disrespectful remarks" and "manipulation of players."
As it stands, Bryan Mbeumo will join a camp shrouded in uncertainty, while Andre Onana—currently on loan at Turkish side Trabzonspor—faces the prospect of watching the tournament from afar, a collateral casualty of a fierce internal battle for control of Cameroonian football.
