Cameroon is grappling with fresh revelations in the controversy involving Valentine Nkwain, president of Victoria United football club, following accusations of kidnapping and torture of goalkeeper Eric Parfait Djomeni.
The scandal erupted after Djomeni’s mother testified on Radio Équinoxe, claiming that her 19-year-old son had been abducted and tortured on Nkwain’s orders.
The allegations were widely reported by the local press, painting a grim picture of the treatment of the young player.
According to reports, Djomeni was targeted after Victoria United ended a four-match losing streak with a victory against US Douala on February 19.
Nkwain allegedly accused the goalkeeper of involvement in match-fixing via the 1xBet platform, which is linked to a partnership involving Samuel Eto’o, president of the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot) and an associate of Nkwain.
“Valentine Nkwain wanted Eric to sign a paper saying that he was fixing matches and conceding unfair goals. Eric was also physically abused and subjected to psychological pressure,” Djomeni’s uncle told Le Monde newspaper.
Victoria United denied the allegations, sharing a video in which Djomeni refuted the claims. However, the video was quickly dismissed as staged after a separate telephone recording emerged, supporting the accusations of mistreatment.
Djomeni’s legal representatives have lodged a complaint against Nkwain for “arrest, sequestration, and torture,” charges that could result in a prison sentence of up to 10 years.
Meanwhile, Victoria United terminated Djomeni’s contract, and the goalkeeper has since returned to his family in Douala.
Further reports by French media revealed that two other players, midfielder Ewane Enopa and striker Etienne Mukete, both aged 19, were subjected to similar abuse.
Jacques Marcel Itiga Itiga, communications chief of the National Union of Cameroonian Footballers (Synafoc), confirmed the claims, stating: “It now appears to be proven that Victoria United players were victims of physical and psychological violence.”
The players’ lawyer, Me Djemeni, added: “The two footballers are very affected by what they have experienced. They were held captive, beaten, and barely ate for three days.”
Valentine Nkwain has declined to comment on the accusations, telling Le Monde that she was “very busy” and requesting to be contacted later.
Fecafoot, under the leadership of Samuel Eto’o, has remained silent, with spokesperson Lucien Mettomo indicating that the organisation is closely monitoring the situation.
🔴 Éric Parfait Djomeni n’est pas le seul joueur de Victoria United FC à avoir été victime des violences physiques et psychologiques.
Ewane Enopa et Étienne Mukete auraient également subi le même sort. 😱Le président Nkwain Valentine reproche à ses joueurs d’avoir participé au… pic.twitter.com/SftmEYsdsv
— AllezLesLions (@AllezLesLions) February 27, 2025
