AFCON Update: Pagou Defends Onana, Aboubakar Omission

AFCON Update: Pagou Defends Onana, Aboubakar Omission 

Sampson Adedeji

The Indomitable Lions Cameroon head coach David Pagou has defended the decision to leave out senior stars André Onana and Vincent Aboubakar from his latest Africa Cup of Nations squad, insisting that having too many high-profile players can disrupt team balance, reports BSNSports.com.ng.

Speaking on a radio show on Monday evening, Pagou explained that squad selection goes beyond individual reputation and must focus on harmony within the group.

 “Having too many key players in a team can become counterproductive. A locker room is a delicate balance: everyone has their own preferences and sensitivities, and not everything can always coexist. We can’t call up everyone. Out of a list of 28 players, only 26 are on the match sheet, 11 start the match, and 15 are on the bench. These are inevitably choices that have to be made,” Pagou said.

The omission of Trabzonspor goalkeeper André Onana and former captain Vincent Aboubakar has sparked debate among fans and pundits in Cameroon, with many questioning whether the Indomitable Lions can afford to go into AFCON without two of their most experienced figures.

However, Pagou insisted that his focus is on building a cohesive and disciplined squad capable of delivering results in the tournament rather than assembling big names.

Cameroon will head into the AFCON campaign under intense scrutiny, as supporters eagerly await to see whether Pagou’s bold selection strategy will pay off on the pitch.