Cameroon have plunged into internal turmoil just days before the Africa Cup of Nations, as a fierce power struggle erupts between federation president Samuel Eto’o and national team manager Marc Brys — who is refusing to accept his dismissal.
Eto’o, marking four years as president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT), informed Brys that he had been sacked, according to Dailymail.com.
However, the Belgian coach insists he remains in charge, noting that he is still under contract with the Ministry of Sport until September 2026 and has not been formally removed.
The standoff has created unprecedented chaos, with Cameroon now submitting two different AFCON squads.
Following an emergency committee meeting on December 1, FECAFOOT announced a 28-man squad led by David Pagou, not Brys — who has since been listed as head coach on FIFA’s website and even held a press conference alongside an entirely new technical team appointed by Eto’o.
The squad included high-profile omissions: André Onana, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, and Vincent Aboubakar.
Sources quoted by The Sun claim Eto’o pushed for Aboubakar's exclusion to prevent the striker — currently 12 goals behind — from surpassing his all-time scoring record.
On Wednesday, December 10, the saga escalated when Brys, rejecting the federation’s decision, published his own rival squad, reinstating the omitted stars.
Lashing out at Eto’o, Brys told Flemish outlet VTM NIEUWS: “It’s always been Eto’o’s goal to get me out as quickly as possible. From the first minute, he insulted me. I was too much of a competitor for him.
How can you go to AFCON without a world-class goalkeeper or without Aboubakar? It’s unbelievable… it’s coming from someone narcissistic who thinks he’s the best.”
He told TV5 Monde that unless the Presidency of Cameroon formally appoints Pagou, he remains the legitimate coach, stressing: “This is not up for discussion.”
The conflict follows earlier tensions: last year, Brys nearly resigned after his assistant was removed from the matchday list in what was widely viewed as a move to undermine him.
Eto’o has also previously been suspended by FIFA — receiving a six-month ban in 2024 for breaching disciplinary rules at a Women’s U-20 World Cup match.
As AFCON approaches, Cameroon’s preparations remain overshadowed by uncertainty, competing squads, and a deepening rift at the very top of its football leadership.
