Cameroon coach Marc Brys is once again expected to be without his assistant Joachim Mununga when the Indomitable Lions face Eswatini in Thursday’s World Cup qualifier in Yaoundé.
Despite assurances that the situation would be resolved, Mununga is likely to remain absent from the matchday bench at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, according to reports in Camfoot.
The Belgian coach has yet to appear on the official team sheet, having been caught in the ongoing power struggle between the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot) and the Ministry of Sports.
Brys has previously voiced frustration over the stand-off, which emerged following the controversial merger of technical staff earlier this year.
Mununga, appointed as his assistant, has been consistently sidelined, much to the dismay of the Belgian head coach and several senior players.
Ahead of the current international window, Brys struck a skeptical tone when asked about the matter, remarking with irony that he had been given a promise his assistant would finally join him on the touchline.
That expectation now appears unlikely to be met, leaving the coach increasingly exasperated.
It’s lasted long enough, Brys said recently, emphasising his frustration in remarks delivered with the backing of Sports Minister Narcisse Mouelle Kombi.
His public stance signals a renewed escalation in the dispute, with speculation that Fecafoot president Samuel Eto’o continues to resist Mununga’s involvement.
For Brys, the situation represents more than a personal setback.
He has suggested the exclusion undermines his ability to prepare the squad effectively, while also sending mixed signals to the players about the unity of the technical team.
The issue has cast a shadow over Cameroon’s qualification campaign, despite their strong position in Group D.
The Indomitable Lions currently sit second in the standings, one point behind Cape Verde, who they face in Praia on 9 September in what could prove a decisive encounter.
With only the group winners guaranteed a place at the 2026 World Cup, Thursday’s fixture against Eswatini carries added importance as Cameroon seek to maintain momentum.
If Mununga is again barred from the bench, it will underline the enduring influence of Eto’o in the federation’s handling of the coaching staff, and highlight the rift between administrative and sporting authorities in the country.
For Brys, however, the focus remains on ensuring his players secure three crucial points, even as the off-field battle continues to dominate headlines.
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— AllezLesLions (@AllezLesLions) September 3, 2025
