Cameroon Coach: My team fears no opponent in AFCON 2025
Cameroon’s Head Coach, Marc Brys, sent a bold and defiant message following the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) draw, declaring that his team fears no opponent, including the defending champions, Côte d'Ivoire.
The Indomitable Lions will meet Côte d'Ivoire in Group F, one of the most anticipated clashes of the tournament. Group F also includes Gabon and Mozambique, making it one of the most competitive groups at AFCON 2025.
Brys, 62, who took over as Cameroon’s head coach in April 2024, expressed confidence in his team’s ability to overcome any challenges they may face during the competition in Morocco.
“We must remain focused, stick to our playing philosophy, and bring the passion and energy that is characteristic of the Cameroonian people. We will be ready,” Brys said after the draw in Rabat on Monday night. “We are not afraid of any team,” he added.
The upcoming group-stage clash between Cameroon and Côte d'Ivoire revives a fierce rivalry, with the Indomitable Lions having secured a 1-0 victory in their last encounter during the 2021 AFCON qualifiers.
Brys, standing alongside former Ivorian captain Serge Aurier during the draw, acknowledged the historic nature of the matchup but remained confident in his team's strength.
“I am aware of the historical rivalry between the two countries. The only thing is to stay focused and be ourselves. Of course, they won the last AFCON, but we will be ready for the match,” the Belgian tactician emphasized.
Brys expressed satisfaction with the make-up of his squad, describing it as a “good mix” of experienced players and emerging talent.
“I have a team that combines a lot of experience and youth. It is a good mix. We must remain united and motivated,” he added.
Cameroon versus Côte d’Ivoire promises to be one of the defining moments of the group stage, with Brys confident in his team’s ability to rise to the occasion.
“The biggest opponent will be ourselves. We must remain disciplined, motivated, and fearless,” he concluded.
The Indomitable Lions, five-time AFCON champions, will rely on this balance to navigate a group that includes Côte d’Ivoire, fresh from their title-winning campaign on home soil, as well as an ambitious Gabonese side and an improving Mozambique.
The 2025 AFCON, scheduled from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, will feature 24 teams competing in six Moroccan cities.
With six groups, the tournament format will see the top two teams in each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, advance to the knockout stages.
Host nation Morocco headlines Group A, which includes Mali, Zambia, and Comoros, while other groups promise equally exciting clashes:
GROUP A: Morocco, Mali, Zambia & Comoros
GROUP B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola & Zimbabwe
GROUP C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda & Tanzania
GROUP D: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin & Botswana
GROUP E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea & Sudan
GROUP F: Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Gabon & Mozambique