Cameroon's preparations for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco have been thrown into disarray following the dramatic sacking of head coach Marc Brys and the surprising omission of star goalkeeper Andre Onana from the final squad. These developments are the latest signs of a deep-seated power struggle within Cameroonian football, primarily between the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot), led by President Samuel Eto'o, and the Ministry of Sports.

Brys, a Belgian appointed by the Sports Ministry in April 2024, was abruptly dismissed just weeks before the tournament. Fecafoot issued a damning statement, citing "professional failure," refusal to cooperate, withholding training plans, and accusations of "subterfuge" and inciting players to defy the federation. Brys's tenure was marked by constant conflict with Eto'o, a dispute that had already led to his brief removal and reinstatement earlier in the year.

Local coach David Pagou, an assistant to Brys, has been appointed as the new manager. His first major decision was to announce a 28-man squad that conspicuously excludes the high-profile Onana, currently on loan at Trabzonspor from Manchester United. No official reason was given for the 29-year-old's exclusion. Onana has a history of friction with the national team management, including a mid-tournament suspension at the 2022 World Cup and losing his starting place at the 2023 AFCON.

The new squad also notably omits long-serving captain Vincent Aboubakar and defender Michael Ngadeu (Napoli's Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa is also out due to injury). This overhaul comes on the heels of the Indomitable Lions failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The ongoing crisis, characterized by constant coaching instability and leadership disputes under Eto'o's stewardship, leaves the team facing intense scrutiny and uncertainty just before a major continental tournament.