Cameroon manager David Pagou stands by selection choices ahead of Cote d’Ivoire clash

Cameroon manager David Pagou has defended his selection policy and says he intends to continue building the team around players who fit his footballing project ahead of the upcoming meeting with Cote d’Ivoire.

Pagou said his approach was based on maintaining a clear identity rather than following the decisions of others.

“Every coach has their own methods, philosophy and way of working. With my staff, we have selected players who suit us,” he said.

“We are continuing along the same path and will keep working according to our methods. We cannot make decisions based on other people’s choices, otherwise we lose our personality. I am David Pagou. We select the players who fit our project. Is this the best way? The results will tell us.”

The Cameroon head coach also highlighted the importance of considering players based abroad, saying the national team’s doors should remain open to all eligible footballers, wherever they play.

Pagou added that he was gradually trying to establish a preferred starting XI, despite having taken charge of the team less than a year ago.

“Each match has its own reality, and each match has its own starting XI,” he said.

“There are many Cameroonians playing elsewhere, and we need to show them that the doors of the national team are open, wherever they are. We are trying to move closer to a first-choice XI because, as you know, we took over the team less than a year ago, but we are getting closer to our regular 11.”