KAMPALA, Uganda – Cameroon national team coach Marc Brys has publicly criticized Ugandan authorities following his team’s goalless draw against Zimbabwe in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier held at Mandela Stadium in Kampala. The match, part of the Group J fixtures, saw the Indomitable Lions unable to break the deadlock, leaving them frustrated after a challenging encounter.
The match was hosted on neutral ground due to the unavailability of any approved stadiums in Zimbabwe. However, it was the lack of pre-match training access that seemed to upset Brys the most.
Speaking to the media post-match, the Belgian coach expressed his dissatisfaction with the Ugandan authorities, highlighting how his squad was denied access to the match venue for a customary training session the day before. Uganda’s own AFCON qualifier against Congo Brazzaville at the same venue was cited as the reason for the restriction.
“It’s not easy after a tough match three days ago and a night of travel,” Brys remarked. “They refused to let us train. We didn’t train. The players could only do some exercises, but we didn’t work on anything tactically.”
Brys attributed his team’s lackluster performance, particularly in the first half, to the logistical setbacks and fatigue. “There was no finesse, no ability to accelerate. It’s normal that we didn’t play well under these conditions. In such matches, you have two choices: secure the point or go for three.”
Despite the disappointing result, Brys praised his players for their perseverance, especially during the second half. He acknowledged that fatigue had a clear impact on the team, but commended their efforts to push for a victory.
“In the second half, it was clear we weren’t in the best shape, but we still tried to win. That’s why I’m proud of my players for their determination,” Brys said. “We had to make changes to inject new energy, which explains why I substituted four players at once.”
The coach also stressed the broader issues facing Cameroon in preparation for international matches, calling for better conditions to avoid such disruptions in the future. “The conditions are incredibly difficult to work in. We cannot continue like this. It should be a goal for Cameroon to change things.”
With two matches down and another crucial qualifier on the horizon, Brys will be looking to address these challenges as Cameroon aims to secure their spot in the 2025 AFCON tournament.
The draw leaves Cameroon with more work to do in their AFCON qualification campaign as they seek to improve their standing in Group J.
