Man United man brutally axed from Africa Cup of Nations squad on eve of tournament

Dec 2, 2025 - 08:45

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has been dropped from Cameroon’s Africa Cup of Nations squad.

Onana, who is on a season-long loan with Turkish side Trabzonspor, was a shock absentee from the 28-man squad named for the tournament, which begins on December 21.

Man United's Andre Onana — Onana is currently on loan at Turkish side Trabzonspor

Four goalkeepers were selected for The Indomitable Lions, but there was no room for the 29-year-old.

Several key names were missing from Cameroon’s squad for the upcoming AFCON in Morocco.

As well as Onana, team captain Vincent Aboubaker, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Michael Ngadeu were all omitted.

Anguissa has been injured, but no official reason has been given for the other omissions.

Man United’s Bryan Mbeumo and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba are the only Premier League representatives in the Cameroon squad.

Onana in Turkey

Onana was loaned to Trabzonspor when it became evident he was no longer the Man United number one.

United signed Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp in an £18million deal.

Meanwhile Altay Bayindir was named as the second choice.

Since moving to Turkey, he has conceded 11 goals in 10 matches and kept three clean sheets.

They are currently third in the Turkish Super Lig, two points behind leaders Galatasaray.

Cameroon's 2025 AFCON squad

Goalkeepers: Devis Epassy, Simon Omossola, Simon Ngapandouetnbu, Edouard Sombang

Defenders: Samuel Junior Kotto, Gerzino Nyamsi, Jean-Charles Castelletto, Nouhou Tolo, Flavien Enzo Boyomo, Nagida Mahamadou, Junior Tchamadeu, Christopher Wooh, Darlin Yongwa

Midfielders: Martin Ndzie, Carlos Baleba, Arthur Avom, Eric Junior Dina Ebimbe, Fidel Brice Ambina, Danny Namaso, Christian Bassogog, Georges-Kevin Nkoudou, Jean Junior Onana, Olivier Kemen

Forwards: Bryan Mbeumo, Christian Kofane, Frank Magri, Karl Etta Eyong, Patrick Soko

Cameroon turmoil

Not only has there been some surprise selection choices for the upcoming AFCON, they also sacked their manager on the same day the squad was announced.

The Cameroon Football Federation, which is led by ex-Barcelona, Chelsea and Inter Milan star Samuel Eto’o, fired Marc Brys on the eve of the tournament.

Brys’ dismissal was announced in an extraordinary statement with a long list of allegations.

The Belgian was accused of ‘inciting’ players to defy the federation and ‘actively collaborating with unknown individuals within Fecafoot’.

Among the list were also accusations that he failed to attend meetings, refused to disclose training plans, jeopardised relationships with sponsors, and did not release his squad selections on time.

Brys was immediately replaced by his assistant, David Pagou, an experienced Cameroonian coach.