The President of the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT), Samuel Eto’o, has  fired head coach Marc Brys just one day after his re-election for a second mandate into office.

Simultaneously, FECAFOOT has announced the appointments of David Pagou as the new head coach and Martin Ndtoungou Mpile as the new Technical Director. These changes come amidst a  public brawl between FECAFOOT and the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education (MINSEP) over control of the national team.

Brys’ Turbulent, Short-Lived Tenure

Belgian coach Marc Brys was initially appointed in April 2024 to replace the legendary Rigobert Song, whose contract was not renewed following Cameroon’s early exit from the last AFCON. Brys’ arrival immediately ignited the feud, as his hiring was unilaterally announced by the Ministry of Sports, bypassing FECAFOOT’s protocol, which the federation contested.

During his brief and highly difficult tenure, marked by the administrative deadlock, Brys’ working conditions were severely compromised. The conflict prevented him from effectively managing his staff, notably blocking his assistant, Mununga, from sitting on the bench. Despite the off-field distractions, Brys’ on-field record was respectable, guiding the team through the AFCON 2025 qualifiers with an unbeaten run, securing their spot in Morocco.

The New Leadership and Controversial Squad

The new coaching structure sees David Pagou promoted to the role of Head Coach. Pagou was recently appointed the Technical Director of Cotonsport of Garoua after concluding a second, less successful stint with PWD of Bamenda, where he had previously won the 2020 Elite One championship and the 2021 Cup of Cameroon. Pagou is a familiar face to the national setup, having served as an assistant to Martin Ndtoungou Mpile—the very man now named the new Technical Director—at the CHAN 2020 tournament with the Intermediate Lions. Pagou was technically part of Brys’ assistant staff, but like many others, he was hardly utilized due to the ongoing rift with the Ministry.

In the most shocking move, the list of players announced by the new staff for the upcoming AFCON camp omits several high-profile stars. André Onana, Vincent Aboubakar, Martin Hongla, and Michael Ngadeu have all been left out. Zambo Anguissa doesn’t make the cut due to an injury sustained over the October FIFA window. The decision to leave out key players is widely speculated to be a consequence of their alleged loyalty to the Minister of Sports, Professor Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, further indicating that the squad selection is another battleground in the ongoing administrative conflict.

A Looming AFCON Nightmare

This chaotic leadership change and the exclusion of key players set a deeply concerning tone for Cameroon’s AFCON 2025 campaign. The Indomitable Lions have been drawn into a particularly difficult Group F alongside defending AFCON champions and World Cup-bound Côte d’Ivoire, and Gabon, a side that showed great grit in the recent World Cup qualifiers playoffs.

Given the strength of their opposition and the current administrative turmoil surrounding the team, the AFCON campaign is already showing signs of becoming a potential nightmare for the five-time African champions.

As of the current time, the Ministry of Sports has yet to make a formal statement regarding the dramatic decision by FECAFOOT to fire Brys and announce the new staff.

                      Full squad

Goalkeepers

Simon Omossola

Devis Epassy

Simon Ngapandouetnbu

Edouard Soumbang

Defenders

Christopher Wooh

Junior Baptiste Tchamadeu

Nouhou Tolo

Darlin Yongwa

Gerzino Nyamsi

Mahamadou Nagida

Jean Charles Castelletto

Junior Samuel Kotto

Flavier Boyomo

Eric Junior Dina Ebimbe

Midfielders

Olivier Kemen

Carlos Baleba

Martin Atemengue Ndzie

Arthur Avom

Fidel Brice Ambina

Forwards

Daminu Namaso

Brian Mbeumo

Jean Onana

Christian Bassogog

Georges-Kevin Nkoudou

Karl Etta Eyong

Christian Kouame

Serge Patrick Soko

Frank Magri