Cameroon AFCON 2025 Preview: Squad Shocks, Manager Chaos & Predictions
The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon arrive at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco facing a wave of controversy. Despite an unbeaten qualification run led by former coach Marc Brys, the team now enters the tournament under caretaker manager David Pagou. Noteworthy omissions from the squad, including stars like Andre Onana and Vincent Aboubakar, signal a significant squad overhaul focused on younger talents such as Bryan Mbeumo and Carlos Baleba. With a prediction of a Round of 16 exit, Cameroon aims to navigate a challenging Group F featuring the Ivory Coast and Gabon.
- Cameroon enters AFCON 2025 with new coach David Pagou
- Carlos Baleba & Bryan Mbeumo lead the way for the Indomitable Lions
- Andre Onana, Frank Zambo Anguissa & Vincent Aboubakar have been left out
The Indomitable Lions arrive in Morocco for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations not with a roar, but amidst a storm of controversy. As one of the continent's most storied footballing nations, Cameroon is always a headline act.
However, the build-up to this tournament has been defined by administrative turbulence and a radical squad overhaul that has left supporters stunned.
With a new caretaker manager on the touchline and legendary names excluded from the roster, this tournament represents a new era for Cameroonian football.
History at the Africa Cup of Nations
Cameroon is the second-most successful nation in AFCON history, trailing only Egypt. Their first title came in 1984, sparking a golden era that saw them win again in 1988.
At the turn of the millennium, a star-studded generation led by Samuel Eto'o and Rigobert Song won back-to-back titles in 2000 and 2002. Their most recent triumph was the improbable 2017 victory in Gabon, where a young, less-fancied squad stunned Egypt in the final.
| Year | Host Country | Finish |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Sudan | Group Stage |
| 1972 | Cameroon | Third Place |
| 1982 | Libya | Group Stage |
| 1984 | Ivory Coast | Champions |
| 1986 | Egypt | Runners-up |
| 1988 | Morocco | Champions |
| 1990 | Algeria | Group Stage |
| 1992 | Senegal | Fourth Place |
| 1996 | South Africa | Group Stage |
| 1998 | Burkina Faso | Quarter-finals |
| 2000 | Ghana / Nigeria | Champions |
| 2002 | Mali | Champions |
| 2004 | Tunisia | Quarter-finals |
| 2006 | Egypt | Quarter-finals |
| 2008 | Ghana | Runners-up |
| 2010 | Angola | Quarter-finals |
| 2015 | Equatorial Guinea | Group Stage |
| 2017 | Gabon | Champions |
| 2019 | Egypt | Round of 16 |
| 2021 | Cameroon | Third Place |
| 2023 | Ivory Coast | Round of 16 |
The Road to Morocco: Unbeaten but Unsettled
Despite the current turmoil, Cameroon’s qualifying campaign was statistically impressive. Drawn into Group J, they navigated their way past Zimbabwe, Kenya and Namibia without losing a single match.
Under the guidance of Belgian head coach Marc Brys, the team displayed defensive solidity, conceding only two goals in six matches.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cameroon (Q) | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 2 | +6 | 14 |
| 2 | Zimbabwe (Q) | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 4 | +2 | 9 |
| 3 | Kenya | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 7 | -3 | 6 |
| 4 | Namibia | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 7 | -5 | 2 |
Managerial Earthquake - Enter David Pagou
The narrative of Cameroon's tournament changed drastically on December 2, 2025. Just weeks before the opening match, FECAFOOT (Cameroon Football Federation) announced the dismissal of Brys.
His tenure was marred by a public and often bizarre power struggle with Federation President Samuel Eto'o. Citing "professional failure" and insubordination, the federation pulled the trigger, replacing him with his assistant, David Pagou.
Pagou now faces the enviable task of unifying a fractured dressing room and implementing a tactical identity in less than three weeks. He is expected to lean on a pragmatic 4-3-3, but without the veteran spine the team has relied on for a decade.
Squad Analysis: The Great Purge
Cameroon's squad announcement for AFCON 2025 was a bombshell. In a move signaling a total clear-out of the "old guard," the interim staff excluded several global stars.
Andre Onana's turbulent relationship with the federation appears to have reached a breaking point and Frank Zambo Anguissa was reportedly injured, though rumors of friction persist.
Vincent Aboubakar, the hero of AFCON 2017 and 2021 top scorer was left out, marking the end of an era for the captain. Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting, scorer of 20 international goals, was omitted.
The team will rely on the Premier League quality of Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo and Brighton's Carlos Baleba.
Cameroon AFCON 2025 Squad
| Pos | Player | DOB (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Devis Epassy | 2 February 1993 (age 32) | 10 | 0 | |
| GK | Simon Omossola | 5 May 1998 (age 27) | 3 | 0 | |
| GK | Simon Ngapandouetnbu | 12 April 2003 (age 22) | 0 | 0 | |
| DF | Nouhou Tolo | 23 June 1997 (age 28) | 44 | 1 | |
| DF | Jean-Charles Castelletto | 26 January 1995 (age 30) | 36 | 2 | Al-Duhail (QAT) |
| DF | Christopher Wooh | 18 September 2001 (age 24) | 23 | 2 | |
| DF | Darlin Yongwa | 21 September 2000 (age 25) | 10 | 1 | Lorient (FRA) |
| DF | Flavien Enzo Boyomo | 7 October 2001 (age 24) | 6 | 1 | Osasuna (ESP) |
| DF | Aboubakar Nagida | 28 June 2005 (age 20) | 6 | 0 | Rennes (FRA) |
| DF | Junior Tchamadeu | 22 December 2003 (age 21) | 5 | 0 | |
| DF | Samuel Kotto | 3 September 2003 (age 22) | 0 | 0 | KAA Gent (BEL) |
| DF | Gerzino Nyamsi | 22 January 1997 (age 28) | 0 | 0 | |
| MF | Jean Onana | 8 January 2000 (age 25) | 12 | 0 | Genoa (ITA) |
| MF | Carlos Baleba | 3 January 2004 (age 21) | 11 | 0 | |
| MF | Olivier Kemen | 20 July 1996 (age 29) | 7 | 1 | Istanbul Basaksehir (TUR) |
| MF | Arthur Avom | 15 December 2004 (age 20) | 6 | 1 | Lorient (FRA) |
| MF | Martin Ndzie | 16 January 2003 (age 22) | 3 | 0 | |
| MF | Brice Ambina | 17 November 2001 (age 24) | 0 | 0 | Valerenga (NOR) |
| MF | Eric Junior Dina Ebimbe | 21 November 2000 (age 25) | 0 | 0 | Brest (FRA) |
| FW | Christian Bassogog | 18 October 1995 (age 30) | 57 | 8 | |
| FW | Bryan Mbeumo | 7 August 1999 (age 26) | 27 | 7 | |
| FW | Georges-Kevin Nkoudou | 14 February 1995 (age 30) | 19 | 3 | Diriyah (KSA) |
| FW | Frank Magri | 4 September 1999 (age 26) | 17 | 2 | Toulouse (FRA) |
| FW | Danny Namaso | 28 August 2000 (age 25) | 5 | 0 | Auxerre (FRA) |
| FW | Patrick Soko | 31 October 1997 (age 28) | 4 | 1 | Almeria (ESP) |
| FW | Karl Etta Eyong | 14 October 2003 (age 22) | 3 | 0 | Levante (ESP) |
| FW | Christian Kofane | 27 July 2006 (age 19) | 0 | 0 |
Prediction: How will they perform?
Cameroon have been placed in Group F alongside defending champions Ivory Coast, Gabon and Mozambique.
The Optimist View - The removal of "big egos" allows the younger, hungrier generation including Christopher Wooh, Carlos Baleba and Bryan Mbeumo to play without fear. They scrape through the group and become a dangerous counter-attacking side in the knockout rounds.
The Realist View - You cannot sack the manager three weeks before a tournament and remove your best goalkeeper, midfielder and second top goalscorer. The defense will lack leadership without Onana and they could struggle for goals without Aboubakar.
Prediction - Round of 16 Exit
Cameroon should have enough individual talent to finish 2nd or as a high-ranking 3rd place in Group F, but a lack of tactical chemistry will likely see them eliminated by a more settled unit like Senegal or Egypt in the first knockout round.
Fixtures - Gabon First Up
| Day/Date | Time (CET) | Match | Venue, City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 24 December | 20:30 | Cameroon vs Gabon | Adrar Stadium, Agadir |
| Sunday 28 December | 18:00 | Cameroon vs Ivory Coast | Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh |
| Wednesday 31 December | 20:30 | Cameroon vs Mozambique | Adrar Stadium, Agadir |
AFCON 2025 Winner Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Morocco | 3.75 |
| Egypt | 6.50 |
| Algeria | 7.00 |
| Senegal | 7.00 |
| Nigeria | 11.00 |
| Ivory Coast | 13.00 |
| Tunisia | 13.00 |
| Mali | 13.00 |
| Cameroon | 19.00 |
| South Africa | 41.00 |
| DR Congo | 51.00 |
| Angola | 69.00 |
| Burkina Faso | 83.00 |
| Zambia | 83.00 |
| Gabon | 83.00 |
| Mozambique | 101.00 |
| Equatorial Guinea | 101.00 |
| Benin | 101.00 |
| Sudan | 101.00 |
| Comoros | 151.00 |
| Tanzania | 151.00 |
| Uganda | 201.00 |
| Zimbabwe | 351.00 |
| Botswana | 501.00 |
Source: Stake (8 December 2025)
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