After missing the World Cup qualification under Marc Brys, David Pagou should now lead Cameroon to the Africa Cup of Nations – that’s what association boss Samuel Eto’o has decided. But Brys sees himself continuing in office and has now nominated a squad of 28.
There has often been chaos in Cameroon before major tournaments; sometimes it was about a special (sleeveless) jersey design, sometimes about bonuses or about the appropriateness of the quarters for stars from the Premier League and other top European leagues. This time it’s about the coaches.
“I’m the child of a military man”
Pagou’s inaugural speech sounded quite determined. Ultimately, every football fan has to decide for themselves whether they find them likeable or appropriate for this sport. In any case, the 56-year-old said when he was enthroned by striker legend Eto’o, the president of the national football association “Fecafoot”: “I am the child of a military man. Therefore, we will try to restore discipline and give this team a new image.”
But it is not entirely certain whether the soldier’s son Pagou is even authorized to strike these martial tones. It is being questioned by its predecessor, for example. The Belgian Brys had the “Indomitable Lions”, as the Cameroon national team traditionally calls itself, under his wing from April 3, 2024 to December 1, 2025. He and his team around star keeper André Onana only lost two of 17 international matches. But they were pretty important: the 0-1 loss against Cape Verde on September 9th this year meant they missed out on winning the group in the World Cup qualification. In the playoff semi-finals on November 13th, a 0-1 defeat against the Republic of Congo resulted in the final end for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Samuel Eto’o then saw a need for action. Cameroon is Africa’s record holder with eight World Cup appearances, missing the big stage is considered a disgrace, Eto’o threw Brys out of office and named Pagou as his successor.
Brys sees himself as Contractual partner of the ministry
But Brys doesn’t accept the separation. Instead, he points out that he was appointed Cameroon’s national coach by the Ministry of Sports. That’s why he can only be fired by him – and not by the head of the football association, Eto’o. Brys has already launched a counterattack in the Flemish news program “VTM Nieuws”: “I’m actually not surprised. It’s coming from someone who is narcissistic and thinks he’s the best. Eto’o’s goal from the start was to get rid of me, he insulted me from the first minute. I was just too strong for him.”
Since Brys believes he is still in office, he has now dutifully nominated a 28-man squad for the Africa Cup of Nations. Pagou has also already announced his squad, but according to Brys this was “dictated” to him by Eto’o. What is surprising about the selection of Pagou or possibly Eto’o is that some really big names are missing. For example, Onana is not among the four nominated goalkeepers. Vincent Aboubakar, who now plays for Azerbaijani club Neftchi PFK, is also not there.
Is Eto’o worried about his status as a record scorer?
The exclusion of the former Porto and Besikatas striker is said to have come as a shock to many fans in Cameroon. But there is an explanation circulating in the media and social networks that doesn’t sound completely absurd: Eto’o is Cameroon’s record scorer with 56 goals, while Aboubakar has 45 goals. Eto’o is said to have been concerned about his status as the nation’s all-time No. 1 and pushed for his 33-year-old successor to no longer be selected in the centre-forward position. However, this has not been confirmed.
Cameroon international Vincent Aboubakar at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations against Nigeria
What is confirmed, however, is Brys’s willingness to fight. Of course, Aboubakar is in his squad. Onana is also there and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting from Red Bull New York – the ex-Bayern striker is also missing from Pagou.
“There is no discussion about that”
Brys just said again to the French broadcaster TV5 Monde: “As long as there is no document signed by the country’s president declaring David Pagou as coach, I, Marc Brys, will remain coach. There is no discussion about that and that’s how it has been in Cameroon for 30 years.” The Africa Cup of Nations starts on December 21st and what happens in Cameroon until then will be exciting.