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The final approach to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has been defined by a wave of managerial firing and hiring, with no fewer than five participating countries opting for a change in leadership just months before the continental tournament kicks off.
This pre-competition shuffle highlights the intense pressure and high stakes surrounding the AFCON.
The most recent and dramatic change occurred with Cameroon, a nation with a rich AFCON history. Head coach Marc Brys was relieved of his duties yesterday, 1st December 2025 despite having only been appointed in April. His tenure, marked by reported tensions with the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT), was cut short in favor of a local coach. David Pagou, a seasoned figure within Cameroonian football, has been tasked with steadying the ship and uniting the squad ahead of their campaign.
Cameroon was not the first to act. In November, the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) announced the departure of Hemed Suleiman. After a mixed start to their qualifying journey, the federation moved swiftly, appointing the experienced Argentine tactician Miguel Gamondi, who boasts significant continental success, to guide the Taifa Stars.
Further south, Zambia’s FA made the difficult decision to part ways with veteran coach Avram Grant following a disappointing start to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Grant’s assistant, former Zambian international Moses Sichone, has been promoted to the head role, charged with recapturing the form that once defined the Chipolopolo.
Neighboring Zimbabwe also found themselves seeking new direction after the World Cup qualifying window.
Michael Nees’s departure paved the way for the appointment of Romanian coach Marian Marinica, who returns to the role having previously managed the Warriors in 2022. His immediate mandate will be to organize a squad desperate to make an impact in Morocco.
Perhaps the most amicable, yet still significant, change came from Angola earlier in the process. Pedro Gonçalves stepped down in September after a transformative six-year spell, having successfully secured the Palancas Negras’ qualification. His successor is the well-traveled Frenchman Patrice Beaumelle, whose extensive experience in African football will be counted on to guide Angola out of a challenging group phase.
This series of late-stage changes creates a fascinating plot to AFCON 2025. While new managers can inject fresh ideas and energy, they face the immense challenge of forging tactical identity and team cohesion within a short time frame. Whether these bold gambles will inspire a tournament run or lead to instability remains one of the most compelling questions ahead of the tournament
The decisions made by the federations in recent months will now be tested on the field.
