Cameroon have omitted goalkeeper Andre Onana from their squad for the Africa Cup of Nations starting this month in Morocco and appointed David Pagou as coach to replace Belgian Marc Brys.

Onana, on loan at Trabzonspor from Manchester United, is one of several experienced players dropped for the December 21 to January 18 tournament, including striker Vincent Aboubakar, who has been a mainstay of the team for the last 15 years.

The changes come after Cameroon failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Manchester United winger Bryan Mbeumo is in the squad along with Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba.

The country’s football federation President Samuel Eto’o has made no secret of his desire to replace Brys, 63, since the latter’s April 2024 appointment by the sports ministry and has tried several times before.

Emboldened by his re-election as president last weekend, Eto’o has had another go and replaced the Belgian with 56-year-old Pagou, who has managed in Cameroon’s domestic league and will be assisted by Martin Ntoungou Mpile.

Cameroon open their Group F campaign at the Cup of Nations finals against Gabon in Agadir on December 24. They also have defending champions Ivory Coast and Mozambique in their pool.

Cameroon squad:

Goalkeepers: Devis Epassy (Dinamo Bucharest), Simon Omossola (St Eloi Lupopo), Simon Ngapandouetnbu (Montpellier), Edouard Sombang (Colombe Du Dja)

Defenders: Samuel Kotto (Gent), Gerzino Nyamsi (Lokomotiv Moscow), Jean-Charles Castelletto (Al-Duhail), Nouhou Tolo (Seattle Sounders), Flavien Enzo Boyomo (Osasuna), Mahamadou Nagida (Rennes), Christopher Wooh (Spartak Moscow), Junior Tchamadeu (Stoke City), Darlin Yongwa (FC Lorient)

Midfielders: Martin Ndzie (Rapid Vienna), Carlos Baleba (Brighton & Hove Albion), Arthur Avom (FC Lorient), Eric-Junior Dina Ebimbe (Brest), Brice Ambina (Valerenga), Jean Junior Onana (Genoa), Olivier Kemen (Istanbul B.B)

Forwards: Bryan Mbeumo (Manchester United), Christian Bassogog (Al-Okhdood), George-Kevin N’koudou (Al-Diriyah), Danny Namaso (Auxerre), Frank Magri (Toulouse), Karl Etta Eyong (Levante), Christian Kofane (Bayer Leverkusen), Patrick Soko (Almeria)

-Reuters

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With exactly 20 days to the kickoff of the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, South Africa have stolen a march on the rest of the continent after head coach Hugo Broos became the first manager to officially unveil his final tournament squad.

The Belgian tactician on Monday released a 25-man list that blends proven international quality with a bold injection of youth, as Bafana Bafana aim to surpass their impressive third-place finish at the 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire.

Broos retained nine players from the bronze-winning team, including AFCON Goalkeeper of the Tournament Ronwen Williams, while also handing opportunities to two uncapped 20-year-olds — Shandre Campbell of Club Brugge and Queens Park Rangers’ Tylon Smith. Both youngsters have had limited senior action this season, yet the coach insists their inclusion is part of a long-term plan.

“I’m also looking a little to the future with this selection,” Broos said. “We have to do at least the same as we did at the last Cup of Nations, which is reaching the semi-finals. We’re going with a lot more experience now, and the team has become far more mature over the last two years.”

South Africa, who have already qualified for the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States, will open their AFCON campaign on December 22 against Angola in Marrakech. They share Group B with Egypt and Zimbabwe.

FULL SQUAD

Goalkeepers:
Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele), Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Defenders:
Samukele Kabini (Molde), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Orlando Pirates), Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Khulumani Ndamane (TS Galaxy), Siyabonga Ngezana (Steaua Bucharest), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Tylon Smith (Queens Park Rangers)

Midfielders:
Bathusi Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thalenthe Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela)

Forwards:
Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates), Shandre Campbell (Club Brugge), Lyle Foster (Burnley), Evidence Makgopa (Orlando Pirates), Sipho Mbule (Orlando Pirates), Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates), Elias Mokwana (Al Hazem), Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates), Mohau Nkota (Al Ettifaq)

Broos’ early announcement sets the tone ahead of the continental showpiece, with Bafana Bafana now turning full attention to fine-tuning preparations for a tournament they hope will mark another chapter in their renewed rise.

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Morocco is pinning its hopes on the timely return of Achraf Hakimi as the Atlas Lions prepare for a historic home campaign at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2025.

Nasser Larguet, former coach and technical director in Moroccan football, has offered fresh insight into Hakimi’s rehabilitation following the injury he sustained against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League.

The Paris Saint-Germain defender has been out of action since the incident, raising concerns in both club and national team circles.

According to Larguet, Hakimi is undergoing an “intense and structured” rehabilitation programme aimed at ensuring he is fit for AFCON 2025, which Morocco will host.

He revealed that the right-back is putting in close to six hours of recovery work daily, underscoring his determination to return in peak condition.

PSG sources have also confirmed that Hakimi remains under strict medical supervision, receiving specialised treatment and closely monitored recovery sessions to accelerate his comeback.

Hakimi’s absence has been strongly felt. For PSG, his pace and tactical intelligence remain irreplaceable down the right flank.

For Morocco, the 25-year-old is a cornerstone of Walid Regragui’s system—providing defensive stability, explosive attacking runs, and dangerous set-piece deliveries.

With Morocco set to host AFCON for the first time since 1988, expectations are sky-high. The Atlas Lions have not lifted the continental crown since 1976, and the presence of their most influential players is seen as essential to ending the 49-year drought.

The emphasis on Hakimi’s recovery reflects Morocco’s broader investment in pre-tournament preparation, including medical, technical and logistical upgrades designed to give the team every advantage on home soil.

As the clock ticks towards kick-off in mid-2025, Hakimi’s commitment to an accelerated recovery has become a rallying point for supporters dreaming of an unforgettable Moroccan triumph.

Whether his comeback aligns perfectly with the tournament remains to be seen—but his determination has already reignited hope for a historic run.

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