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ETO’O VS. BRYS: IS INTERNAL CHAOS SABOTAGING CAMEROON’S AFCON HOPES

With two rival squads named and superstars like Andre Onana sidelined, can Cameroon overcome institutional chaos to win AFCON?

Eto’o vs. Brys: Is Internal Chaos Sabotaging Cameroon’s AFCON Hopes
Who Will Lead Cameroon at AFCON 2025?

Few teams arrive at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with as much drama surrounding them as Cameroon.

Once a dominant force in African soccer, the Indomitable Lions' preparation for the tournament in Morocco has been overshadowed by power struggles, coaching changes, and squad controversies, threatening to derail their chances before they even take the field.

In the weeks leading up to the AFCON, Cameroon has been dealing with a major internal conflict. Marc Brys, a Belgian coach appointed by the Ministry of Sport, publicly rejected his dismissal, even though the president of FECAFOOT, Samuel Eto’o, had declared him fired back in April 2024.

Brys argued that he hadn't received official notice of his termination from the president. He insisted that he was still the head coach and submitted his own squad list, including stars like Andre Onana and Vincent Aboubakar, before the AFCON deadline.

At the same time, FECAFOOT appointed David Pagou as the new coach and announced a 28-man squad that excluded big names like Onana and Aboubakar, along with other experienced players.

This has resulted in two different squads and no clear leadership as the tournament approaches. The situation has drawn the government in and caused an uproar in the media, with accusations of mismanagement and vendettas.

Big Names Left Out

The absence of certain players is hard to ignore. Andre Onana, the Manchester United goalkeeper currently on loan at Trabzonspor, is one of Africa's most well-known goalkeepers, but he's been left out of Pagou's squad.

The exclusion of Vincent Aboubakar, Cameroon's longtime captain and a key goal scorer, is particularly controversial.

Some reports suggest that internal politics, possibly related to Eto’o’s legacy as Cameroon’s all-time top scorer, may have influenced the decision to drop Aboubakar, who is close to breaking that record.

Experienced players like Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (injured) and Michael Ngadeu are also missing, leaving a squad with a mix of up-and-coming talents and overseas-based professionals like Bryan Mbeumo and Carlos Baleba.

A History of Problems

Cameroon's decline from being a top team in Africa has been happening for a while.

Despite being a historically great soccer nation and the first African team to reach a World Cup quarter-final, the Indomitable Lions have struggled to maintain consistency.

Although Cameroon has appeared in the most World Cups out of any African country (8 times), they have missed the last three tournaments, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup, after losing to DR Congo in the qualifiers. Each failure has damaged the reputation that once made Cameroon a feared opponent.

At the AFCON, their success since their surprising win in 2017 has been inconsistent. They were knocked out in the round of 16 in both 2019 and 2023, which was disappointing for a team with five titles.

However, they had a brief resurgence at the 2021 AFCON on home soil, finishing third with the help of strong support and moments of individual brilliance.

As a result, Cameroon enters AFCON 2025 not as a favourite, but as a team with a rich history that's capable of upsetting strong opponents if they can regain momentum and confidence.

Echoes of 2017: Can Chaos Help?

There is a past example of Cameroon overcoming internal problems. In the 2017 AFCON, despite facing challenges, the Lions managed to win the tournament, defeating Egypt 2-1 in the final.

Back then, coach Hugo Broos made bold decisions and enforced discipline after several players—Joel Matip, Alan Nyom, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Guy N’Dy Assembé, Maxime Poundjé, Andre Onana, André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, and Ibrahim Amadou—were unavailable for selection.

There are similarities between Broos in 2017 and Pagou in 2025. Like Broos, Pagou lacks experience coaching a national team and is stepping into a situation where several big-name players are missing.

Broos was an outsider who inherited a young squad that many thought had been weakened by withdrawals.

Instead, he saw an opportunity. By enforcing clear rules, demanding discipline, and changing the team's mentality, Broos turned a divided group into a united team that defied expectations to win the AFCON.

Pagou is now in a similar position. He's a respected figure in Cameroon's domestic soccer scene, taking charge during turmoil and political tension.

His squad is young, with fewer egos and a lot of hunger to succeed. This situation once worked to Broos’ advantage. Known for his structure, discipline, and ability to manage players, Pagou has what it takes to build team unity quickly.

Like in 2017, success may depend more on unity and clear roles than on star power.

Tough Road Ahead in Group F

Cameroon's path will be challenging. Drawn into Group F with the defending champions, Ivory Coast, Gabon, and Mozambique, the Lions must beat strong opponents to advance.

Without clear leadership and with key players missing, they may struggle. However, Mbeumo's skill and Baleba's energy provide some hope.

If Pagou can create unity and get the most out of his squad, a good run is possible—but winning the title will depend on quickly resolving the team's internal issues.

It remains to be seen whether Cameroon’s problems will lead to unity or weigh the team down.

As the tournament in Morocco approaches, one thing is clear: Cameroon’s story will be one of the most interesting and unpredictable of the competition.

WHY DID CRISTIANO RONALDO CRY? LUKA MODRIC EXPOSES JOSE MOURINHO’S HARSHEST LECTURE

Luka Modric reveals Jose Mourinho once reduced Cristiano Ronaldo to tears at Real Madrid for failing to track back defensively.

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Modric and Balague confirm the 2013 Valencia clash that shattered Real’s locker room

Luka Modric says that Jose Mourinho once gave Cristiano Ronaldo such a harsh lecture that the guy was in tears.

Ronaldo, who's 40 now, played really well under Mourinho, who's 62. They were together at Real Madrid for three seasons, but apparently, they didn't always get along off the field.

Even though things got off to a slow start, the Portuguese superstar still managed to score 168 goals in 164 games while playing for Mourinho. He also helped Mourinho win three trophies in his first two seasons.

But get this: even with superstars like Karim Benzema and Angel Di Maria on his team, Mourinho was still super critical of Ronaldo's effort on defense.

Modric, who Mourinho signed from Tottenham back in 2013, told a story about one argument that made Ronaldo cry. Apparently, it was because he didn't chase after his assigned player.

"I saw him make Cristiano Ronaldo cry in the locker room," Modric told Corriere della Sera, an Italian news outlet. Can you believe it? A guy who always gives it his all on the field, and he's getting yelled at because he didn't chase some defender.

Modric moved to Real Madrid in 2013 and only played under Mourinho for a year.

Modric, who played alongside Kaka and Mesut Ozil in the midfield after arriving for a big £33 million, didn't say which game the argument happened in.

Guillem Balague, a Spanish soccer journalist, wrote in Ronaldo's biography that Ronaldo and Mourinho almost fought after Mourinho yelled at him in the locker room following a 2-0 win against Valencia in January 2013.

Mourinho was mad because Ronaldo didn't seem willing to help out on defense during the game. And Ronaldo supposedly replied, After everything I've done for you, this is how you treat me? How dare you say that to me!

Later that season, which turned out to be Mourinho's last with the team, Ronaldo was constantly asked about Mourinho's future. "I don't care," he said once. What I care about is my own future and the club.

This was a big change from earlier that year, when Mourinho said before the 2012 Ballon d'Or race, If Messi is the best on the planet, Ronaldo is the best in the universe!

After Mourinho left Real Madrid, he went on Spanish TV to talk about what caused the problems between him and Ronaldo.

"I only had one problem with him," he said. It was simple. When a coach gives a player feedback on tactics, they are trying to help them get better, in my opinion. He didn't take it well because he probably thinks he knows everything, and the coach can't help him.

Mourinho also said that they didn't really have a relationship. But time seemed to fix things, as he later said that coaching Ronaldo was the best thing that ever happened in his career.

Ronaldo also seemed to warm up to Mourinho later on, even saying that he was the best coach he ever had, even better than Sir Alex Ferguson. "I'd put him at the top; I always say that," Ronaldo said.

Ronaldo scored 168 goals in 164 games while playing for Mourinho during their three years together.

Even though Modric didn't win any trophies in his first season at Madrid, he was so impressed by Mourinho that he repeated something Mourinho famously said about himself.

He's special, as a coach and as a person, Modric said. He was the one who wanted me at Real Madrid. I wouldn't have come without him. I'm sad I only had him for one season.

Modric spent 13 years at Real Madrid, mostly managed by Carlo Ancelotti. Now he's at AC Milan and managed by Massimiliano Allegri. But he says Mourinho is the toughest of the three.

He added, "Mourinho is really direct with the players, but he's honest." He treated Sergio Ramos and new players the same way. If he had something to say, he'd say it. Max is the same way. He tells you what's right and wrong to your face. Honesty is key.

Modric also shared his opinion on the never-ending debate of who's better, Lionel Messi or Ronaldo, but said he doesn't really like talking about it.

"I don't like that question," he said. They both defined an era. I'm closer to Cristiano because I played with him; he was my teammate at Madrid, and I can tell you he's not just a great player, he's an amazing person. People don't know it, but he has a big heart and is always ready to help others. He's just a simple, normal guy.

He added, "I don't know Messi personally, but I'm sure he's great too." As a player, he's incredible.

CELTIC FANS DEMAND BOARD SACK WILFRIED NANCY AFTER SHOCK MOTHERWELL DEFEAT TONIGHT

Wilfried Nancy dismisses sack talk after Celtic's 2-0 loss at Motherwell. With Rangers closing in, the Old Firm looms large.

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Wilfried Nancy’s future on the line after fifth loss in seven

After Celtic's fifth loss in seven games under his leadership, Wilfried Nancy brushed off ideas that Saturday's Old Firm game would decide his future.

Tuesday's match at Fir Park, called 'El Passico' due to both teams' open play styles, saw Motherwell outperform the Frenchman's team. Ibrahim Said and Elliot Watt scored on either side of halftime.

The 2-0 defeat, Celtic's 17th this year, meant Hearts stayed three points ahead in the league, while Rangers closed in, now just three points behind Nancy's squad after a 2-1 victory over St Mirren.

At the end of the game, visiting fans chanted for the board to be sacked, and some even demanded the manager's immediate dismissal. When asked if his first derby was a make-or-break moment, Nancy responded, No, not really. Every game matters to me and the team.

I'm not focused on my future. I'm focusing on what I'm doing now, what I need to do to help the team get better, and what we need to do as a team to improve. That's how I see it.

When asked if he understood the fans' deep worry about the lack of progress during his time, Nancy was indignant.

Progress? "There is progress," he insisted. But tonight, the situation and the opponent were tough.

This is a fact. Now, we need to figure out how to get better, and that's what we've been working on from the start. Tonight was rough. That's the truth.

When questioned about feeling the pressure after such a bad start as the champion's manager, Nancy added, As a manager, I don't want this, obviously.

Pressure doesn't change how I think. We know we have to perform well.

But right now, this is how it is. I knew it could be like this. We've had good games at times. Tonight was a hard one.

Regarding whether he was sure he could turn things around, Nancy said, Yes, I'm sure. I had to make some choices about the team tonight. I believe in what we're trying to do and where we're going. This was a hard game, difficult for us, but I think we'll improve.

Motherwell's manager, Jens Berthel Askou, praised his team, saying it was probably their best game of the season.

"We knew we'd probably need our best, most solid, and most complete performance, both with and without the ball, to win," he said.

We've had really big and good performances, but they haven't led to wins against Rangers or Celtic. So, that's what we got, and that's what we needed. It was amazing to see.

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