Cameroon’s central defender Samuel Kotto has praised the Indomitable Lions’ performance at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, insisting the team left a “very good image” despite being eliminated in the quarter-finals.
Kotto, who recently joined French side Reims, reflected on Cameroon’s journey in Morocco, highlighting the resilience and professionalism of the squad under a new coaching staff led by David Pagou.
The young defender acknowledged that initial expectations were low, but he believes the team exceeded them on the continental stage.
“It’s true that at the start of the competition, many people expected less from us,” Kotto said. “We had a very good run and we left a very good image of our country.
It wasn’t easy because we had a new staff, we had two weeks to adapt. I think the staff did a very good job. We were eliminated by the host country, a match that wasn’t easy.
That’s football, we’re fair play. We hold our heads high and we continue to work.”
Cameroon’s campaign ended at the quarter-final stage against Morocco, the host nation of the 35th edition of the tournament.
Despite the defeat, Kotto emphasised that the team’s performance had strengthened national pride and demonstrated the squad’s character in the face of organizational challenges.
The 22-year-old defender’s remarks also reflect a broader trend of Cameroonian players leveraging strong international showings to secure moves to European clubs.
Kotto’s transfer to Reims, finalized after the tournament, is a prime example of how AFCON performances can boost players’ careers while simultaneously highlighting the depth of talent within African football.
Cameroon now looks to build on this experience as they prepare for upcoming international fixtures, with Kotto and his teammates determined to continue developing both individually and collectively on the international stage.
