Cameroon’s preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations have been thrown into fresh turmoil after goalkeeper Andre Onana was omitted from a significantly revised squad—just hours after the national team was rocked by the dismissal of head coach Marc Brys.

The Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot), under president Samuel Eto’o, confirmed Brys’ removal in a dramatic statement following Eto’o’s recent re-election. The federation cited a series of “professional failures,” accusing the Belgian coach of encouraging players to challenge Fecafoot’s authority and of collaborating with “unknown individuals within the federation.”

Brys, who was appointed by the sports ministry in April 2024—a decision Eto’o initially resisted—was further accused of skipping mandatory meetings, withholding training plans, missing squad announcement deadlines, and avoiding press responsibilities through “subterfuge.”

With Brys’ abrupt exit, assistant coach David Pagou has been tasked with steadying the team just weeks before the tournament kicks off in Morocco on December 21.

Pagou, a well-respected figure in Cameroonian club football, quickly released a provisional 28-man squad, but it has already raised eyebrows.

Several of the nation’s top players were left out without explanation. Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana, who is currently on loan at Trabzonspor, long-standing captain Vincent Aboubakar, Napoli midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, and experienced defender Michael Ngadeu were all omitted. Only Anguissa’s absence has a confirmed reason, as he continues to recover from injury.

The lack of clarity surrounding the omissions has sparked speculation about deeper divisions within the squad and persistent tensions between Fecafoot and the coaching staff, leaving Cameroon’s AFCON 2025 campaign shrouded in uncertainty.