Cameroon’s preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations have erupted into unprecedented disarray, with the nation fielding two different provisional squads amid a fierce power struggle at the heart of its football leadership. Just days before kickoff, a bitter clash between FECAFOOT president Samuel Eto’o and head coach Marc Brys has pushed the Indomitable Lions into full-blown crisis mode.
The conflict stems from Eto’o’s attempt to dismiss Belgian manager Brys , a move the coach has openly rejected, insisting his contract with the Ministry of Sports remains valid until September 2026. Brys, reportedly furious, has accused Eto’o of overstepping his mandate and acting out of self-interest after several high-profile stars were left out of the federation-approved squad.
In response to the escalating feud, FECAFOOT convened an emergency session and unveiled its own 28-man AFCON roster, naming David Pagou as interim coach for the tournament. Pagou has since been registered on FIFA’s official platforms and has already conducted media duties, outlining his technical plans and staffing structure , all without any involvement from Brys.
The Ministry of Sports, however, maintains that Brys remains the legitimate national team manager, creating a rare and chaotic scenario in which two competing technical benches and two different squads claim authority. The dispute has reportedly strained relationships with key players, including Andre Onana and several senior attackers, whose exclusions have sparked fresh accusations and counter-accusations.
With AFCON looming, Cameroon finds itself navigating one of the most dramatic internal rifts in its football history. Instead of fine-tuning tactics for the continental stage, the nation is facing a governance storm that threatens to overshadow its campaign before a ball has even been kicked.
