Cameroonian football is reeling from an unprecedented crisis following the Indomitable Lions’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a turbulent period that culminated in a shocking double-blow just 20 days ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Fresh from his re-election as President of the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT), legendary striker Samuel Eto’o sent shockwaves across the continent by summarily sacking head coach Marc Brys.

While poor results in the qualifiers provided context, the timing so close to AFCON was deemed baffling by analysts.

The dismissal follows a long-running, public feud between Eto’o and the Belgian strategist ever since Brys took charge.

FECAFOOT’s statement accused Brys of “professional failure” and “active collaboration with unknown individuals within FECAFOOT,” according to BBC reports.

The turmoil intensified immediately after the appointment of Brys’ former assistant, David Pagou, as the new manager.

Pagou announced a provisional 28-man AFCON squad that glaringly excluded superstar goalkeeper Andre Onana, second all-time scorer and long-serving captain Vincent Aboubakar, and veteran defender Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui.

The decision to drop three players with a combined 234 national team appearances, who were regulars under the ousted Brys, has no official explanation, fuelling speculation that Eto’o’s influence is behind the selection.

With Napoli’s André-Frank Zambo Anguissa also sidelined by injury, the Indomitable Lions head into AFCON under a cloud of tension and instability, with their continental ambitions now seriously at risk.

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