AFCON 2025: Who is David Pagou – the new Cameroon coach

David Pagou is the man suddenly at the centre of Cameroon’s AFCON 2025 campaign, stepping up from assistant to head coach of the Indomitable Lions just weeks before the tournament in Morocco.

A respected Cameroonian tactician, Pagou has built his reputation at club level with intelligent, disciplined teams and a calm touchline presence, now tasked with bringing stability to a national side shaken by political tension and big-name omissions.​

Pagou first came to wider prominence with PWD Bamenda, guiding the “Abakwa Boys” to the Cameroon Elite One league title in 2020 and the Cameroon Cup in 2021, achievements that marked him out as one of the country’s brightest coaching minds. He later impressed with Stade Renard de Melong, where his organised, tactically flexible teams were praised for their defensive solidity and competitive edge in a league where many clubs frequently change coaches.​

His club work earned him positions with the national setup and, more recently, a high-profile appointment at giants Coton Sport de Garoua as general manager and head coach, underlining the trust placed in his methods by key figures in Cameroonian football.

Now, as AFCON 2025 approaches, Pagou must translate that domestic success into international results, uniting a divided dressing room and navigating a tough group while expectations from fans and officials remain sky-high.