Samuel Eto’o’s recent trip to France to support Cameroon’s under-16 team has sparked mixed reactions, with the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot) president drawing sharp criticism from some quarters at home despite praise abroad.
Eto’o travelled to Vendée last Saturday to attend the Montaigu Tournament, where Cameroon’s U16 squad—nicknamed the Indomitable Lionceaux—were in action against France in the final group stage match.
Cameroon suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat, resulting in their elimination from the competition.
While Eto’o’s presence was warmly welcomed by the organisers of the prestigious youth tournament, including co-presidents Anthony Thibault and Franck Piveteau, who posed for what they described as a “symbolic photo” with the former Barcelona star, not everyone shared the enthusiasm.
Back in Cameroon, Eto’o’s appearance at the event has provoked criticism, particularly from Marlène Emvoutou, a former regional football president and one-time candidate for the Fecafoot presidency.
Emvoutou questioned Eto’o’s priorities and accused him of turning his back on Cameroonian football by focusing on what she described as low-profile tournaments abroad.
“We were waiting for Eto’o to bring back tournaments where we see teams from Italy and England coming to Cameroon… But when has there been a prestigious event with stars in Cameroon since Eto’o has been here? And now I see that he has moved to sit in a neighbourhood tournament in Montaigu.
This guy is devaluing himself! He is ridiculous! Who respects this tournament in Loire Atlantique? All this because you want to smoke the Cameroonians,” said Emvoutou, speaking to Camfoot.
Her remarks have added fuel to ongoing debates about Eto’o’s leadership and direction at Fecafoot.
Since assuming the presidency, the former striker has made efforts to reform Cameroonian football structures, though his tenure has not been without controversy.
Despite the criticism, Eto’o continues to enjoy widespread support among sections of the football community, both in Cameroon and internationally, where his gesture of solidarity with the youth team was seen as a positive demonstration of leadership and encouragement.
While the loss to France ended the young Cameroonians’ campaign in Montaigu, the focus now shifts to how Eto’o responds to growing domestic scrutiny amid calls for more impactful football development initiatives within the country.
