AFCON 2025: Onana dropped from Cameroon 26-man squad in Samuel Eto'o's massive shake up of Indomitable Lions

Manchester United loanee Andre Onana was one of the casualties of the shake-up in the Cameroonian national team football, as the Trabzonspor goalie was left out of his country's AFCON squad. 

The 29-year-old has been on a steady decline at the club level. He was sent out on loan from Manchester United after a host of abysmal, error-ridden performances to Trabzonspor, where he currently plies his trade. However, his national team form has endured, with eight clean sheets in his 15 games between the sticks for Cameroon. 

Onana was Cameroon’s first-choice shot-stopper until as recently as their CAF World Cup qualifying playoff defeat to Gabon last international break. 

His shocking omission from the Indomitable Lions’ 26-man AFCON squad came as part of a broader late shake-up that also saw Belgian coach Marc Brys removed and domestic coach David Pagou installed as his replacement. He will be assisted by Martin Ntoungou Mpile, according to Reuters. 

The changes were announced today, December 1, 2025, with FECAFOOT president Samuel Eto’o, who had just been re-elected last week, pushing for a reset after the country failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. 

Onana was not the only squad regular to be axed, as AFCON 2021 Golden Boot winner Vincent Abubakar was also axed.

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)

Meanwhile, Marc Brys's exit was a long time coming, as he remained at loggerheads with FECAFOOT president Samuel Eto'o after his controversial appointment by the Sports Ministry, as Pulse Sports reported. Onana is also not on the best of terms with the former Barcelona star, who has previously been accused of ruining his career.