Cameroonian football is going through a tumultuous period, marked by tensions between the players, the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot) led by Samuel Eto’o, and the Ministry of Sports. As the Indomitable Lions prepare for the start of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, it is clear that the climate within the team is far from serene. The players seem to have made a collective decision that could have major consequences on the future of football in Cameroon.....CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
Tensions between Marc Brys’ Indomitable Lions and Fecafoot are not new, but they have reached a point of no return. The players, who are supposed to proudly represent their country, have distanced themselves from the authority of their federation and have chosen, according to the local press, instead to regroup under the aegis of Minsep. This decision is indicative of a deeper malaise within the structure of Cameroonian football. The players, who have long been at the forefront of the national team’s successes, now seem to feel abandoned by a management that is not meeting their expectations.
Currently, the Hilton Hotel in Yaoundé is the gathering place for the players selected for the match against Namibia scheduled for September 7. This choice of accommodation speaks volumes about the divide between the players and Fecafoot. While the La Falaise Hotel in Douala, prepared by Samuel Eto’o, remains almost empty, the Hilton Hotel is filling up with stars of the selection such as Vincent Aboubakar, Christian Bassogog and Ngadeu Ngadjui.
Despite threats by Fecafoot to players who choose not to report to them, this strategy seems to have failed. The players’ decision to stay at the Hilton Hotel shows that they value their autonomy and comfort, even in the face of external pressure. Players such as Andre Onana, Zambo Anguissa and Bryan Mbeumo, who landed in Douala, also chose not to join the La Falaise Hotel. Instead, they opted for another establishment, the Best Western Hotel, before heading to Yaoundé.
Samuel Eto’o, despite being a living legend of Cameroonian football, now finds himself isolated at the La Falaise Hotel, while the players clearly show their preference for another approach. As tensions continue to rise, the Indomitable Lions are preparing to begin their training camp in Yaoundé. The first session is scheduled for this Tuesday at 10am at the Yaoundé Omnisports Annex No. 1 stadium. This moment marks a turning point in the team’s preparation for the match against the Braves Warriors of Namibia. The players, now reunited under the leadership of the Ministry of Sports, must focus on their performance on the field, leaving aside internal conflicts.
The choice of location for the training sessions was also a subject of debate. Initially planned at the Ngoa-Ekelle Military Stadium, the training was finally moved to the annex stadium No. 1, a decision that could symbolise a desire on the part of Minsep and Marc Brys to take total control of the situation.
The current tensions between the players and Fecafoot could lead to significant changes in the structure of football in Cameroon. If the Indomitable Lions succeed in creating a positive and supportive environment, despite the tensions, this could further weaken Samuel Eto’o and his federation.
In any case, Samuel Eto’o’s future at the head of Fecafoot seems increasingly uncertain since the Indomitable Lions are distancing themselves from him and his organization. The latter, by choosing to regroup under the aegis of Minsep, affirm their desire to take charge of their destiny and choose their side in this crisis that has shaken Cameroonian football since April 2024, when the ministry recruited Marc Brys, as coach without informing Samuel Eto’o and the Federation.
As the match against Namibia approaches, it will be interesting to see how this situation will influence the performance of the Indomitable Lions. Samuel Eto’o, as an iconic figure, will have to think about his role and how he can rebuild trust between Fecafoot and the players.
Carinos Satya Chanhoun
Passionate about sports, especially football, I realized my passion by becoming a sports journalist. My professional ideal found its perfect expression within the media Afrique Sports, where I live a harmonious union with my profession….CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLE>>>
