The Cameroon Football Federation found itself in a state of chaos due to a war ignited by its president Samuel Eto'o just days before the start of the African Cup 2025 which will take place in Morocco.
Eto'o, who celebrated his fourth year as president of the Cameroonian union on Thursday, is embroiled in a bitter feud with coach Marc Wilmots, who is said to be refusing the decision to dismiss him..
The Belgian coach Wilmots has not yet been officially dismissed and still has a contract with the Ministry of Sports until September 2026, although Eto'o informed him that his time leading Cameroon has ended..
This enmity led to a state of chaos and confusion among Cameroonians just days before the start of the tournament, as the African giant announced two separate teams for the African Cup..
The association, under the leadership of Eto'o, announced its squad consisting of 28 players after an emergency meeting on December 1, and the association also decided to appoint David Pagou as coach for the next African Cup .
Pagou, who is now officially coach on FIFA's website, held a press conference to explain Cameroon's ambitions in the tournament, joined by an assistant coaching team appointed by Eto'o as well.
The list announced by team Eto'o witnessed several unexpected exclusions, starting from goalkeeper André Onana then striker Eric Choupo-Moting and finally top scorer Vincent Aboubakar.
According to sources from "The Sun" British, Eto'o excluded striker Aboubakar from the team's squad so as not to break his record as the top scorer for the Cameroon national team, as Aboubakar needs 12 goals to become the country's all-time leading scorer..
But things took a sudden turn on Wednesday after Wilmots refused the dismissal and announced the Cameroon squad that will participate in the tournament and reinstated the trio to the list.
The Belgian coach stated in statements circulated by the media: Eto'o's goal was always to dismiss me as quickly as possible, from the first minute, he insulted me, but I was a great rival to him..
Referring to the first lineup that excluded Onana and Moting and Aboubakar: Of course, Eto'o excluded the trio because he made that decision, how can you go to the African Cup without a world-class goalkeeper or without Aboubakar? It's unbelievable, but in fact, it doesn't surprise me, it comes from a narcissistic person who believes he is the best..
He also added: As long as there is no decree from the presidency appointing David Pagou as coach for the Indomitable Lions, then Marc Wilmots remains in the eyes of Cameroon as coach of the first team, this is not up for debate.
Eto'o, aged 44 years, has always clashed with Wilmots and reiterated his unwillingness to work with the Belgian during his presidency of the Cameroonian federation.
