With just three weeks left before the Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in Morocco, Cameroon finds itself in the eye of a storm. The squad list unveiled by newly appointed coach David Pagou has raised eyebrows across the football world — not for who made the cut, but for who didn’t.
A Team Without Its Backbone
For the first time in years, the Indomitable Lions will compete without several of their most influential players. The omissions of André Onana, Vincent Aboubakar, Éric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Moumi Ngamaleu, and Michaël Ngadeu signal far more than tactical experimentation. Instead, they hint at a deeper restructuring — or perhaps unresolved tensions within the national setup.
While Zambo Anguissa’s absence is attributed to injury and Martin Hongla’s exclusion can be explained by limited club action, the collective removal of Cameroon’s senior-most talents is harder to justify.
Form Isn’t the Issue
Contrary to what their exclusion suggests, the sidelined stars are performing well for their clubs.
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André Onana has rediscovered confidence and rhythm at Trabzonspor.
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Vincent Aboubakar, with three goals in five matches for Neftçi, looks sharp and decisive.
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Éric Maxim Choupo-Moting is enjoying one of his most productive spells, recording 18 goals in 38 games with New York Red Bulls.
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Moumi Ngamaleu continues to be a regular starter for Dinamo Moscow, tallying 14 appearances so far.
These statistics paint a clear picture: performance is not the problem.
A New Era or Internal Fracture?
The sweeping omissions come shortly after the rapid sidelining of former coach Marc Brys, adding fuel to speculation that the decisions may be influenced by internal disputes rather than purely sporting considerations.
What emerges is a sense of a generational shift being enforced abruptly — a move that could either spark the birth of a new-look Cameroon or destabilize the squad ahead of a major continental tournament.
Uncertainty Ahead of Morocco 2025
As the Indomitable Lions prepare for AFCON 2025, they do so with a roster missing experience, leadership, and proven quality. Whether this gamble pays off or exposes hidden fractures will become clear only when the tournament begins.
For now, the conversation among fans and analysts remains the same: Is this the dawn of a new chapter for Cameroon — or the settling of old scores behind the scenes?
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