Cameroon squad for AFCON 2025: Onana left out of squad, Pagou replaces Brys as coach

Cameroon have omitted goalkeeper Andre Onana from their squad for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) that starts in Morocco this month and appointed David Pagou as coach to replace Belgian Marc Brys.

Onana, on loan at Trabzonspor from Manchester United, is one of several experienced players dropped for the December 21 to January 18 tournament, including striker Vincent Aboubakar, who has been a mainstay of the team for the past 15 years.

The changes come after Cameroon failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

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Manchester United winger Bryan Mbeumo is in the squad, along with Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba.

The president of the country’s football federation, Samuel Eto’o, has made no secret of his desire to replace the 63-year-old Brys since his appointment in April 2024 by the Sports Ministry, and has tried several times.

Emboldened by his re-election as president last weekend, Eto’o has tried again, replacing the Belgian with the 56-year-old Pagou, who has performed in Cameroon’s national league and will be assisted by Martin Ntoungou Mpile.

Cameroon opens its Group F campaign at the AFCON final against Gabon in Agadir on December 24. The country also has defending champions Ivory Coast and Mozambique in its group.

Published on December 2, 2025