A controversy has erupted regarding bonuses paid to the Indomitable Lions during the 2023 AFCON, with accusations of lying directed at goalkeeper André Onana. During a TikTok live stream, Onana allegedly claimed that a player had only received five million CFA francs, reigniting questions about the national team's financial management.
However, sources close to the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT) dispute these allegations, assuring that all amounts were fully paid. According to these sources, checks conducted within the payment system indicate that the player's bonus was indeed paid into his bank account, in accordance with established procedures. The incident mentioned by Onana was reportedly due to a technical problem with bank authentication, which was quickly resolved without affecting the final amount received.
These sources also insist on the purely administrative role of Oum de Djon in this matter, stressing that he has no involvement in the current tensions. His action was reportedly supervised by the financial circuits of the Ministry of Finance, guaranteeing his neutrality.
This divergence of versions highlights the persistent problems of governance and communication within the Indomitable Lions. Financial issues are often a source of tension within the team, as evidenced by history. In 2019, FECAFOOT froze player participation bonuses, leading to a strike and threatening the team's participation in the Africa Cup of Nations. More recently, in January 2026, the Cameroonian government ordered the payment of bonuses to players for qualifying for the AFCON quarter-finals, highlighting the importance of these financial incentives.
AFCON 2025 bonuses reached new heights, with $32 million distributed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Teams reaching the quarter-finals received $1.3 million, while finalists pocketed up to $7 million for the winner and $4 million for the runner-up. These considerable amounts underscore the financial stakes of the competition for participating teams.
André Onana's situation within the national team has often been tumultuous. In 2024, he was benched during a crucial AFCON match, which sparked his anger and a confrontation with FECAFOOT President Samuel Eto'o. Rumors had also circulated about his possible refusal to participate in the AFCON due to concerns about his role at Manchester United and his strained relationship with coach Rigobert Song.
Despite these controversies, the Cameroonian government paid bonuses of approximately 18,180,000 CFA francs (approximately €27,000) to each player after their qualification for the AFCON 2025 quarter-finals. These bonuses are intended to encourage and motivate players to give their best on the field.
Tensions surrounding bonuses and the financial management of the Indomitable Lions persist, fueling debate about the governance of Cameroonian football. The contested version of events regarding the payment of bonuses at AFCON 2023 illustrates the challenges faced by authorities in maintaining transparency and trust within the team.
In the meantime, the team continues to prepare for upcoming sporting events, with the hope of overcoming these difficulties and focusing on performances on the field.
