The absence of André Onana from Cameroon’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations reflects a national team entering the tournament more pressured and divided than it admits publicly. The goalkeeper, once one of the country’s most influential figures on the world stage and a Premier League standout not long ago, was left out of a list shaped by cuts to experienced players and by a coaching shake-up that highlights the turbulent process unfolding inside the federation led by Samuel Eto’o. All of this comes just days before a competition already surrounded by protests, doubts and low expectations.
The fall of Onana and a breaking point reached
Onana is living through one of the most delicate phases of his career. He left Manchester United on loan to Trabzonspor, piled up mistakes in decisive matches and was involved in a recent controversy with the national team when he shoved a fan after Cameroon’s loss to Cape Verde in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The video spread quickly and, added to the criticism for his on-field performances, strengthened the sense that the goalkeeper is too unstable at the moment to remain a reference point for Cameroon.
His omission, however, can’t be interpreted only from a technical standpoint. The national team has been dealing with internal conflict ever since Marc Brys was appointed head coach by the Ministry of Sports, a decision that deeply irritated Eto’o. Since April 2024, the federation president tried multiple times to replace Brys and only managed to do so now, empowered by his recent reelection. Brys is out and David Pagou took charge urgently, with Martin Ntoungou Mpile as his assistant. It’s a clearly political move, and the final roster reflects that restructuring.
Eto’o takes control and turns AFCON into a defining test
After failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, Cameroon arrives at AFCON under pressure and with a less experienced squad than usual. Group F is complicated, with Ivory Coast, Gabon and Mozambique, and there’s no room for mistakes. Onana’s absence, after 50 appearances for the national team, makes it clear that the federation is betting on a deep overhaul, even if that costs immediate competitiveness.
Eto’o now has the coach he wanted and the roster he believes fits the moment. The question is whether this strategy can bear the weight of the tournament or if the political and sporting crisis will become even more evident. Onana, watching from a distance, will see a team trying to reinvent itself without some of its biggest figures, while Cameroon attempts to prove it can still compete for titles in the middle of internal turmoil.