Cameroon’s preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations have been thrown into turmoil after the country’s football federation and national team coach submitted different squads for the tournament.
The dispute comes amid criticism of federation president Samuel Eto’o, who has been accused of leaving out striker Vincent Aboubakar to protect his own goalscoring record. Eto’o, who was re-elected as FA president earlier this month, announced that coach Marc Brys would be replaced by David Pagou and that the squad would not include goalkeeper Andre Onana or Aboubakar.
Brys, appointed by the Ministry of Sport rather than the FA, insists he remains in charge.
“As long as there is no signed note from the Presidency of the Republic appointing David Pagou, Mr Marc Brys remains coach,” he told TV5 Monde.
The Belgian has submitted his own squad to the ministry, including both Onana and Aboubakar.
“Eto’o had left key players out of the squad. How can you go to the Africa Cup without a world-class goalkeeper or without Aboubakar?” Brys told VTM Nieuws.
Relations between Eto’o and Onana have long been strained, while insiders suggest Aboubakar’s omission could be linked to Eto’o’s desire to remain Cameroon’s all-time top scorer. Eto’o has 56 international goals, with Aboubakar on 45.
The standoff has prompted talks between government officials and FA representatives, but with less than two weeks until Cameroon’s opening match against Gabon, it remains unclear who will be coaching the team or which players will be involved.
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