Coach David Pagou explains absence of 2025 Cameroonian Ballon d’Or winner Serge Daura from squad

Head coach of Cameroon David Pagou has explained his decision to exclude forward Serge Daura from the home-based squad camping in Yaoundé.

Pagou recently handed invites to 30-man local players for training camp, as he aim to build a strong Indomitable Lions squad for the future.

Surprisingly, Daura, the 2025 Cameroonian Ballon d’Or winner missed out on the squad, sparking contorvercies among football loving fans in the country.

But Pagou has swiftly clarify the situation, stressing that Daura’s absence is due to his temporary stay abroad to pursue a professional opportunity and not a reflection of his form or importance.

“In the case of Serge Daura, last season he was on fire, scoring 15 goals and providing more than 10 assists. He was our star player,” Pagou explained. “During the tournament in Marrakesh, he was one of the four local players we called up. I worked hard to get him on that list.”

Pagou further detailed that at the start of the current season, Daura was abroad—believed to be in Egypt on trial—only joining his club around Matchday 5 or 6 of the Elite One. “We already had our list by then, and the call-ups were made based on players who started the championship and played practically the first six days,” Pagou added.

Despite his absence from the latest training camp, Daura remains a key figure in Cameroonian football, and the coach reassured fans that the striker’s talent and contributions are still recognized. The 2025 Ballon d’Or winner continues to be regarded as one of the top local prospects, and future call-ups will consider him once he is fully available.

For now, the training camp in Yaoundé focuses on assessing players who have been consistently active in the domestic league, while Daura’s temporary absence abroad explains his missing from the current roster.