Cameroon’s Bryan Mbeumo must lead and score at AFCON 2025 after Vincent Aboubakar’s omission, with team morale low after World Cup failure
JOHANNESBURG: Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo faces the dual challenge of leading Cameroon’s attack and captaining the side at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The 26-year-old’s scoring burden increased after veteran striker Vincent Aboubakar was surprisingly omitted from the squad by new coach David Pagou.
Cameroon’s attack has struggled recently, failing to score in two crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers that led to their World Cup elimination.
“We wanted to do things differently,” said Pagou, explaining the omission of Aboubakar and goalkeeper Andre Onana.
Mbeumo must now inspire a team with low morale after missing the World Cup, a bitter blow for Africa’s record World Cup qualifiers.
He will lead Cameroon in Group F matches against Gabon, holders Ivory Coast, and Mozambique.
Born in France to a Cameroonian father, Mbeumo switched his international allegiance from France to Cameroon.
His club career includes six seasons at Brentford, where he formed a prolific partnership with Yoane Wissa, before moving to Manchester United last July.
He has scored six goals for United this season, including a brace in a 4-2 win over Brighton. – AFP
