Cameroon dismisses coach Marc Brys and omits goalkeeper Andre Onana from its Africa Cup of Nations squad following World Cup qualification failure
JOHANNESBURG: Cameroon has sacked Belgian coach Marc Brys and dropped Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana from its squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Brys had a turbulent relationship with football federation president Samuel Eto’o, making his dismissal expected after Cameroon failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
The Indomitable Lions lost an automatic qualification spot to Cape Verde before a playoff defeat by the Democratic Republic of Congo ended their hopes.
Eto’o, freshly re-elected as FECAFOOT president, replaced Brys with local coach David Pagou.
The 56-year-old Pagou has previously managed several Cameroonian clubs, including domestic giants Coton Sport.
Onana, currently on loan at Trabzonspor, was excluded from the 28-man squad, with Pagou selecting other goalkeepers like Devis Epassy and Simon Ngapandouetnbu.
The squad includes Premier League players Bryan Mbeumo and Carlos Baleba.
Veteran striker Vincent Aboubakar, the top scorer at the 2022 AFCON, was another notable omission.
Five-time champions Cameroon will face Ivory Coast, Gabon and Mozambique in Group F of the tournament.
In other squad news, DR Congo coach Sebastien Desabre omitted injured winger Yoane Wissa from his selection.
Egypt’s squad named by Hossam Hassan includes forwards Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush. – AFP
