Cameroon without Onana: will the Indomitable Lions roar at AFCON 2025?

The biggest shock just before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations came on December 1, 2025, when Cameroon officially left André Onana off its final squad for the tournament. The decision, confirmed by several major outlets including Reuters and ESPN, immediately reshaped everyone’s perception of the five-time African champions.

With a brand-new coach, a heavily reshuffled squad, and serious internal turbulence within the federation, Cameroon heads into AFCON 2025 with more questions than certainties. But does Onana’s absence really spell disaster — or can the Indomitable Lions still roar?

Cameroon is currently priced around 10.0 with bookmakers in Cameroon to win AFCON 2025. The Indomitable Lions face Gabon on December 24 in their opening group-stage match.

Why was Onana left out?

Chaos on the bench after Marc Brys’s departure

A few weeks before the tournament, FECAFOOT president Samuel Eto’o fired head coach Marc Brys and appointed David Pagou. Pagou immediately began making major changes to the squad — with Onana among the players left out.

The goalkeepers selected for AFCON — without Onana

The official squad list released by Cameroon confirms four goalkeepers, all selected without Onana:

Devis Epassy
Simon Omossola
Simon Ngapandouetnbu
Edouard Sombang

This confirms that Onana isn’t even among the reserves.

Added pressure from his club situation

Although he remains under contract with Manchester United, Onana is currently on loan at Trabzonspor in Turkey, after losing his place at United. His club form has been fairly inconsistent, which likely weighed on the decision to leave him out.

A history of tension between Onana and FECAFOOT

Onana had a heated clash with staff during the 2022 World Cup, was sent home, briefly retired from international football, then returned before AFCON 2024. (But he never really won back their trust.) His exclusion stems from a mix of footballing decisions, internal politics, and a desire to reshape the squad.

What impact on Cameroon’s chances at AFCON 2025?

Cameroon was already arriving at AFCON 2025 far from its historic level, despite its status as a benchmark team in Africa. Without Onana, experts point to three major concerns:

A defensive leadership gap

He was the most experienced goalkeeper in the group. Epassy and Omossola are talented, but less reliable at the very highest level.

Uncertainty under a new head coach

Pagou was appointed barely 20 days before the start of the tournament, leaving very little time to build cohesion.

Instability in the locker room

Sudden changes can either unite a group… or blow it apart. With Cameroon, both scenarios are possible.

What are the bookmakers saying? — Latest odds

As of early December 2025, Cameroon’s odds to win AFCON are:

Cameroon to win AFCON 2025: 10.0

(roughly a 10% implied probability)

This reflects a talented but unstable team, facing a tough run through Group F and plenty of uncertainty. The Indomitable Lions therefore fall into the second tier of contenders: a dangerous but unpredictable team.

Cameroon’s next match at AFCON 2025

Cameroon vs Gabon — December 24, 2025

This match will be the first real test of whether this reshaped team can succeed without Onana.

Can Cameroon go far?

As surprising as it may seem — yes. Here’s why:

A history of AFCON heroics

5 titles
2 finals in the last decade

Still plenty of world-class players

Depending on form and the final selection:

Toko Ekambi
Bryan Mbeumo (if fully recovered)
Zambo Anguissa
Castelletto / Wooh in defense

Tournament football rewards resilience

Many finalist teams over the past decade did not have a “world-class” goalkeeper. AFCON is unpredictable — and that’s often where Cameroon shines.

The Indomitable Lions are wildcards — and therefore very dangerous

Onana’s absence is a real blow. But Cameroon’s identity at AFCON has never rested on a single player. The real question is: can David Pagou pull this group together quickly enough to turn it into a competitive team? If he succeeds, Cameroon could surprise the entire continent. If it falls apart, AFCON 2025 could become one of the most turbulent campaigns in their history. Whatever happens, Cameroon will be one of the most exciting teams to watch in December.