David Pagou unveils Lions’ team of captains
David Pagou has officially overhauled the leadership hierarchy of the Indomitable Lions. On the eve of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, Pagou has named a new trio of captains: Nouhou Tolo, Devis Epassy, and Christian Bassogog.
A Strategic Guard Change
The selection marks a definitive break from the recent past. Traditional stalwarts and primary leaders Vincent Aboubakar, André Onana, and Frank Zambo Anguissa are notable absentees from Pagou’s official AFCON squad list.
By elevating Tolo, Epassy, and Bassogog—all of whom bring the experience of multiple AFCON campaigns—Pagou is signaling a shift toward a “different mindset” aimed at restoring discipline and tactical cohesion to a squad that recently struggled in World Cup qualifying.
The Weight of the Armband
In African football, and specifically within the den of the Indomitable Lions, the captain’s armband is a symbol of national sovereignty resilience, and ultimate accountability.
Chasing the Ghost of 2017
The pressure on this new leadership group is amplified by a sobering historical fact: Cameroon has not hoisted the AFCON trophy since 2017. The last captain to lead the Indomitable Lions to continental glory was Benjamin Moukandjo, who hoisted the trophy in Gabon.
Since Moukandjo’s triumph, the armband has passed through several hands, but the ultimate prize has remained elusive. By entrusting the leadership to Bassogog (the 2017 Player of the Tournament), Epassy, and Tolo, David Pagou is betting that this fresh hierarchy can finally replicate the success of the 2017 “Class of Gabon” and bring the trophy back to Yaounde.
