Belgian Blasts Federation President as “Narcissist” for Excluding “World-Class” Leaders Amid Indomitable Lions Turmoil.

Former Cameroon head coach Marc Brys has unleashed a blistering critique of Fecafoot president Samuel Eto’o over the controversial exclusion of Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana and captain Vincent Aboubakar from the Indomitable Lions‘ final 28-man squad for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025, as reported by sportblits.com.

Brys‘s Fiery Indictment: “Eto’o Left Out Important Players“

In an exclusive interview with Afrik-Foot, the Belgian tactician, sacked on December 1 amid allegations of “subterfuge” and “professional failure“, accused Eto’o of personally curating the roster, sidelining “leaders” who refused to “bow” to authority. “Eto’o left out important players, leaders, because he obviously made the list,” Brys fumed, questioning the logic: “How can you face a tournament of this level without a world-class goalkeeper or without Aboubakar?”

He lambasted the decision as “incredible,” attributing it to Eto’o’s “narcissist” tendencies: “It doesn’t surprise me because he’s a narcissist who thinks he’s the best looking player.” Brys portrayed Onana (59 caps) and Aboubakar as “players with character” who dared “stand up to the president,” echoing fan outrage over the snubs.

Squad Shockwaves: Onana, Aboubakar Join Ngadeu, Anguissa on Sidelines

The 28-man roster, unveiled by interim coach David Pagou, one of Brys’s assistants, omits not only Onana (on loan at Trabzonspor from Man Utd, with 10 appearances and 3 clean sheets in Turkey) and Aboubakar (team captain and clutch scorer), but also Napoli midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (hamstring injury) and defender Michael Ngadeu. Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting is also absent, thinning Cameroon’s experienced core for Group D clashes against Egypt, Ghana, and Cape Verde.

Onana’s international saga, marked by a 2022 World Cup suspension and delayed 2023 AFCON arrival, resurfaces, with his Trabzonspor form under Brys earning the No. 1 jersey before this axe. Fans decry the moves as “falling apart,” stripping “memories” from “lions” who’ve carried the nation.

Brys‘s Sacking: Power Struggle with Eto’o Boils Over

Appointed in April 2024 by the Ministry of Sports, a choice Eto’o opposed from the outset, Brys navigated a “turbulent” tenure, failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup but steadying for AFCON. Fecafoot’s December 1 axing cited 11 grievances: dodging pressers, “inciting” player rebellions, and “jeopardizing” sponsor ties. Brys, contracted until September 30, 2026, slammed the “illegal coup,” noting “no official communication” from the ministry and accusing Eto’o of “poor leadership” with “loyalists” unfit for roles.

Eto’o, re-elected last month, vowed “change“: “No player… no coach… above Cameroon.” Critics label his reign “chaotic,” rife with “scandals” and “dictator” whispers.

Indomitable Lions‘ AFCON Peril: Group D Gauntlet Awaits

Cameroon, five-time champions and 2022 quarterfinalists, open against Egypt on December 24 at Stade Ibn Battouta in Tangier, followed by Ghana and Cape Verde, a “massive blow” without their “leaders.” Pagou’s squad, featuring Bryan Mbeumo, must gel amid the “instability,” as Fecafoot and the ministry feud over Brys’s fate.

Brys’s salvo exposes Cameroonian football’s fractures: Will Eto’o’s iron fist forge unity or fracture further? As AFCON dawns (December 21, 2025–January 18, 2026), the Lions roar into uncertainty.