After crashing out of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and just weeks before the Africa Cup of Nations begins, Cameroon has dismissed its coach and appointed a new one.
New head coach David Pagou has removed captain Vincent Aboubakar and goalkeeper André Onana from his squad, announced late Monday for the AFCON starting on Dec. 21 in Morocco.
Pagou takes over from Marc Brys, the Belgian coach whose hiring last year appeared to be backed by the sports ministry, despite opposition from the football federation led by Cameroon legend Samuel Eto’o.
The federation released a list of accusations against Brys on Monday, including allegations of insubordination and misconduct.
Brys’ final match in charge was the 1-0 defeat to Congo in the World Cup qualifying playoffs last month.
Pagou, a well-known coach in the Cameroon league, selected a 28-man squad for AFCON. The list excludes Onana, who is on loan from Manchester United at Trabzonspor, and 33-year-old Aboubakar. With 45 goals for Cameroon, Aboubakar is second only to Eto’o’s 56, and famously scored the late winner against Egypt to secure the 2017 African title.
Cameroon’s squad features Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo and will open their group campaign on Dec. 24 against Gabon. Defending champions Ivory Coast and Mozambique are also in the same group.
