Sacked Cameroon head coach Marc Brys has offered his explanation for the absence of Vincent Aboubakar and André Onana from the nation’s squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Brys, who was dismissed earlier in the week and replaced by David Pagou, believes the decision was driven by non-football reasons.
In an interview with Afrik-Foot, the Belgian coach insisted that the two senior players were dropped because they “dare to stand up” to FECAFOOT president Samuel Eto’o, adding that the list was not selected by Pagou.
“Eto’o has left out important players, leaders, because it’s clearly him who made this list. How can you compete in a tournament of this magnitude without a world-class goalkeeper, or without Aboubakar? These are players with character who dare to stand up to the president. It’s unbelievable, but it doesn’t surprise me coming from someone so narcissistic, convinced he’s the best,” Brys said.
Brys, who remains under contract with Cameroon’s Ministry of Sport, also criticised the manner in which his dismissal was handled, saying no official communication had been made regarding his status.
“Neither the federation nor the ministry informed me. It was the ministry that appointed me and pays me, so it’s up to them to inform me of any potential dismissal. For now, I’m waiting. I don’t understand why the ministry isn’t reacting. If it’s confirmed that I’m no longer the national team coach, it must be done officially, and I, as well as the members of my technical staff who were dismissed, must be paid what is owed to me.”
The situation adds to the ongoing tension surrounding Cameroon’s preparations for AFCON 2025 as the team heads to Morocco without two of its most experienced players and the coach who qualified the team for the tournament.
