Cameroon Player of the Year Serge Daura left out of Indomitable Lions’ squad for friendlies

Cameroon’s reigning domestic Player of the Year, Serge Daura, is reportedly set to miss out on selection for the upcoming international window, dealing a surprising blow to the forward just weeks after his individual recognition.

The striker for Gazelle FA is not part of the plans of head coach David Pagou for the upcoming FIFA Series tournament in Australia, where the Cameroon national football team will take part during the March international break.

The decision has raised eyebrows in Cameroonian football circles, especially considering that Daura was recently crowned Cameroon’s Player of the Year for 2025 at the end of February. The award recognized his outstanding performances in the domestic league and his growing reputation as one of the most promising forwards in the country.

However, the latest reports indicate that Daura will not feature in the squad list that Pagou is expected to release ahead of the team’s trip to Australia. The reasons behind the omission remain unclear, adding further intrigue to the decision.

This exclusion follows another recent setback for the 24-year-old striker. Earlier in March, Daura was not invited to the training camp organized for locally based players in Yaoundé from 6 to 10 March, a preparatory camp designed to assess talent from Cameroon’s domestic championship.

With his absence confirmed from both the local camp and the forthcoming international gathering, Daura now faces a frustrating period despite the personal accolade he recently received.

Currently playing for Gazelle FA in Elite One, Cameroon’s top-flight league, the striker has started the season modestly, scoring two goals in four appearances so far. While those numbers may not fully reflect his potential, his reputation as a dynamic and hardworking forward has kept him in the spotlight within the domestic competition.

For Pagou, the squad selection represents an opportunity to test new players and refine his plans for the national team moving forward. Yet leaving out the country’s reigning domestic footballer of the year is a decision that will inevitably spark debate among fans and analysts.

As the Indomitable Lions prepare for their fixtures in Australia, attention will also remain on Daura’s response. For the Gazelle FA striker, the challenge now will be to use the disappointment as motivation, rediscover his scoring touch, and push his way back into contention for future national team call-ups.