The Dual Burden: Mbeumo Carries Massive Cameroon Hopes Into AFCON

Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo faces a defining moment with Cameroon as he carries the dual burden of leadership and goal scoring at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

With long-time striker Vincent Aboubakar left out of the squad, Cameroon now look to the 26-year-old attacker, who joined United from Brentford last July, to lead the line and inspire a team searching for confidence. Recent results have exposed the Indomitable Lions’ attacking struggles, with the side failing to score in two decisive 2026 World Cup qualification matches.

Cameroon needed a home victory against Angola two months ago to keep their hopes of automatic qualification alive but settled for a goalless draw. A month later, they earned a final lifeline as one of Africa’s best runners-up, only to lose 1–0 to the Democratic Republic of Congo in a play-off, crashing out of the race for the global tournament.

For fans raised on the goals of legends such as Roger Milla, Patrick Mboma and Samuel Eto’o, back-to-back scoreless outings were difficult to stomach. Mbeumo featured in both matches but struggled for service, often isolated by tight marking and a midfield that failed to create clear chances.

Aboubakar’s absence is particularly notable given his eight-goal haul at the 2022 AFCON, where Cameroon finished third. That tally came within one goal of equalling the competition’s long-standing scoring record set in 1974. However, new head coach David Pagou opted for a fresh approach, omitting both Aboubakar and goalkeeper André Onana from the squad.

“We wanted to change the mentality,” Pagou explained. “They are quality players, but we chose a different direction to build a new mindset.”

As Cameroon prepare to face Gabon, defending champions Ivory Coast and Mozambique in Group F, Mbeumo must not only rediscover his scoring touch but also step up as team captain. The role places him at the centre of a squad still reeling from the shock of missing out on the 2026 World Cup, a tournament Cameroon have qualified for a record eight times.

Losing Group D to Cape Verde, a nation of just over half a million people, dealt a heavy psychological blow. Restoring belief now falls largely on Mbeumo’s shoulders.

Born in eastern France to a Cameroonian father and a French mother, Mbeumo represented France at youth level before committing his senior international future to Cameroon. His standout moment so far came at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

At club level, he rose through Troyes before spending six seasons at Brentford, where he helped drive their promotion to the Premier League. He formed a lethal partnership with Yoane Wissa, with both players famously scoring six goals in the same match last season — a rare feat matched only by Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo.

Mbeumo has continued that form at Manchester United, netting six goals so far this season, including a brace in a 4–2 home win over Brighton. Cameroon will hope that same sharpness and leadership can ignite their AFCON campaign.