AFCON 2025: A Month Out, Contenders Face Defining Tests of Form and Cohesion
With the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) kicking off in exactly one month, the final international break before the tournament has provided a crucial, and sometimes revealing, glimpse into the state of the continent’s top teams. As the football world turns its attention to Morocco, the host nation set to open the competition against Comoros on December 21st in Rabat, the narrative is one of stark contrasts: from settled squads fine-tuning their tactics to nations grappling with internal turmoil.
A Tale of Two Preparations
The November window saw a clear divergence in preparation paths. Twenty of the twenty-four qualified teams opted for friendly matches, using the opportunity to experiment with lineups and build momentum. Meanwhile, four nations—the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Nigeria, Gabon, and Cameroon—were thrust into the high-stakes arena of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. These competitive fixtures offered a more intense, pressure-filled environment to assess readiness, for better or worse.
Cameroon’s Recurring Institutional Crisis
While many teams focus on tactical cohesion, Cameroon is once again embroiled in a pre-tournament institutional crisis that threatens to derail its campaign before a ball is even kicked. The Indomitable Lions’ 1-0 defeat to the DRC in a World Cup qualifier on November 13th was more than just a sporting setback; it served as a catalyst for renewed internal conflict.
The heart of the issue lies in a power struggle between football federation president Samuel Eto’o and Belgian coach Marc Brys. Eto’o, who did not appoint Brys, has been at odds with the technician since his arrival in April 2024. The federation president is now actively seeking to remove the coach, a move complicated by the fact that Brys is supported and paid directly by the Cameroonian state. With Sports Minister Narcisse Mouelle Kombi in conflict with Eto’o, a swift resolution seems unlikely, casting a long shadow over Cameroon’s preparations.
This pattern of administrative chaos has become a damaging habit for Cameroonian football, repeatedly undermining the efforts of its players on the eve of major tournaments. The coming weeks will be a critical test of whether the nation can find a semblance of unity before its quest for a sixth continental title begins.
The Road to Rabat
As the countdown to the December 21st opener intensifies, the focus will shift from off-pitch dramas to on-pitch performance. The teams that utilized the November break effectively—whether through strategic friendlies or competitive qualifiers—will now enter the final phase of preparation, aiming to peak at the right moment. The ultimate prize, the AFCON trophy, will be awarded in Rabat on January 18, 2026, but the foundations for that success are being laid now, in training camps and boardrooms across the continent.
This report is based on information from the primary source: Le Monde.