YAOUNDE, Cameroon (AP) — Between elimination from 2026 World Cup qualifying and the opening of the Africa Cup of Nations in three weeks, Cameroon fired its coach and hired a replacement.
New coach David Pagu has with immediate effect dropped captain Vincent Abubakar and goalkeeper Andre Onana from his squad, announcing late Monday night at the AFCON tournament, which opens on December 21 in Morocco.
Pagu replaces Marc Brice, the veteran Belgian coach whose appointment last year appeared to be the choice of the sports ministry against the wishes of the football federation led by Cameroon great Samuel Eto'o.
On Monday, the federation published a list of grievances against Brys, including allegations of subterfuge and insubordination.
The Brys' last game was a 1-0 African World Cup qualifying play-off defeat against Congo last month.
Pagu is an experienced coach in the Cameroon league and has selected a 28-player squad for AFCON that is missing Onana, who is on loan from Manchester United at Trabzonspor in the Turkish league, and 33-year-old Abubakar. His 45 international goals are second only to Eto'o's 56, including the late winner in the final against Egypt to seal the 2017 African title.
Cameroon's squad includes Manchester United striker Brian Mbeumo and is set to start against Gabon on December 24. Defending champion Ivory Coast and Mozambique are also in the group.
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