Bryan Mbeumo takes on scoring and captaincy duties for Cameroon at the 2025 AFCON after Vincent Aboubakar’s omission from the squad

Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo has been handed the dual responsibilities of captaincy and leading the attack for Cameroon at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco following the surprising omission of veteran striker Vincent Aboubakar.

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The 26-year-old, who joined United from Brentford last July, faces a testing challenge as Cameroon attempts to rediscover their scoring form after failing to find the net in two crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers. A 0-0 draw against Angola and a 1-0 play-off loss to the Democratic Republic of Congo left the Indomitable Lions eliminated from World Cup contention, heightening expectations on Mbeumo.

Cameroon supporters have struggled to come to terms with the absence of goals reminiscent of legends such as Roger Milla, Patrick Mboma, and Samuel Eto’o. Mbeumo started in both World Cup qualifying matches, but limited service from midfield and tight marking restricted his scoring opportunities.

Aboubakar’s omission, despite his eight goals in the 2022 AFCON, was part of new coach David Pagou’s strategy to foster a fresh team mindset.

“We wanted to do things differently. They are good players, but we set our sights on others to create a different mindset,” Pagou said, referring to Aboubakar and goalkeeper Andre Onana.

Mbeumo will face the pressure of leading Cameroon in Group F matches against Gabon, title-holders Ivory Coast, and Mozambique.

Beyond scoring, he must lift a squad demoralised by missing out on the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Cameroon holds the African record for World Cup appearances with eight, making their recent failure to qualify against Cape Verde a bitter disappointment.

Born in eastern France to a Cameroonian father and French mother, Mbeumo previously played youth football for France before committing to Cameroon.

He featured at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and has built a reputation at club level through stints with Troyes, Brentford, and now Manchester United, where he has already scored six goals this season, including a brace in a 4-2 win over Brighton.

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Mbeumo’s leadership and goal-scoring prowess will be pivotal if Cameroon is to advance beyond the group stage and revive their legacy in African football.