Cameroon have made one of the boldest decisions of the AFCON season, dropping first-choice goalkeeper Andre Onana from their 26-man squad in what has become a dramatic and politically charged shake-up.
The Manchester United loanee, currently on loan at Trabzonspor after a rough spell in England, was expected to start at the tournament. But instead, he has been completely left out — a decision that shocked fans but reflects deeper tensions within Cameroonian football.
Onana may be struggling at club level, but his national team form has remained strong. He kept eight clean sheets in his last 15 games for Cameroon and was still the starting goalkeeper during the recent World Cup playoff defeat to Gabon.
However, a bigger overhaul was brewing.
FECAFOOT president Samuel Eto’o, fresh off re-election, pushed for a total reset after Cameroon’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. What followed was shocking even by Cameroonian football standards.
On December 1, 2025, Belgian coach Marc Brys was removed from his role and replaced by domestic coach David Pagou, with Martin Ntoungou Mpile appointed as assistant. In the process of restructuring, several big names — including Onana — were dropped.
He wasn’t alone.
AFCON 2021 Golden Boot winner Vincent Abubakar was also axed as the new technical team opted for a different direction.
Goalkeepers: Devis Epassy, Simon Omossola, Simon Ngapandouetnbu, Edouard Sombang
Defenders: Samuel Kotto, Gerzino Nyamsi, Jean-Charles Castelletto, Nouhou Tolo, Flavien Enzo Boyomo, Mahamadou Nagida, Christopher Wooh, Junior Tchamadeu, Darlin Yongwa
Midfielders: Martin Ndzie, Carlos Baleba, Arthur Avom, Eric-Junior Dina Ebimbe, Brice Ambina, Jean Junior Onana, Olivier Kemen
Forwards: Bryan Mbeumo, Christian Bassogog, George-Kevin N’koudou, Danny Namaso, Frank Magri, Karl Etta Eyong, Christian Kofane, Patrick Soko
A squad full of young legs, domestic hopefuls, and a handful of European-based stars — but without their most experienced goalkeeper.
This wasn’t just football. It was football politics.
Marc Brys’ appointment was controversial from day one, as he was installed by the Sports Ministry rather than FECAFOOT. Eto’o never fully accepted him, and their relationship remained toxic throughout his tenure.
Onana has had his own clashes with Eto’o. The former Barcelona legend has been accused by Onana’s camp of “ruining his career,” and the tensions clearly persisted.
With Eto’o now fully in control again, the reset was swift and brutal.
Dropping Onana ahead of AFCON sends a clear message:
No one is untouchable.
Cameroon are betting on harmony, discipline, and a new direction rather than experience. But with two major stars gone and a new coach appointed just weeks before the tournament, the Indomitable Lions head into AFCON with more questions than answers.
Will the gamble pay off?
Only the tournament will tell.
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