Cameroon Football Federation president Samuel Eto’o publicly expressed his appreciation to the Moroccan Football Federation following the Indomitable Lions’ elimination from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, highlighting sportsmanship, hospitality, and the quality of the tournament’s organisation.
Cameroon’s campaign came to an end at the quarter-final stage after a defeat to host nation Morocco on Friday 9 January 2026 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Shortly after the match, Eto’o addressed a formal letter to his Moroccan counterpart, acknowledging both the result on the pitch and the environment in which the competition unfolded.
Writing on behalf of the Cameroonian delegation and supporters, Eto’o conveyed respectful greetings and extended sporting congratulations to Morocco.
He stressed the importance of fair play and mutual respect between the two footballing nations, underlining the long-standing ties that unite their federations.
The former Cameroon captain placed particular emphasis on the organisational standards of the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
He praised the Royal Moroccan Football Federation for its preparatory work and described the tournament’s logistics as exemplary.
Eto’o noted that the professionalism shown throughout the competition reflected careful planning and strong leadership.
Beyond the stadiums, Eto’o highlighted the reception offered to Cameroon’s players, officials, and fans.
He described the welcome from the Moroccan people as fraternal, warm, and sincere, pointing to numerous gestures of hospitality observed at various venues visited by the Cameroonian delegation. According to Eto’o, this atmosphere contributed positively to the overall image of the tournament.
“The signs of hospitality we witnessed demonstrate the remarkable preparatory work carried out by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation,” Eto’o wrote, reinforcing the idea that successful tournaments extend beyond results and into human relations.
Despite Cameroon’s disappointment at exiting the competition, Eto’o chose to focus on unity and goodwill. He wished the Atlas Lions success for the remainder of the tournament, encouraging Morocco as they continued their quest for continental glory on home soil.
Eto’o concluded his message by reaffirming the strength of the fraternal bonds between Cameroon and Morocco. He reiterated his gratitude for the respect shown throughout the competition and emphasized the importance of maintaining peaceful and constructive relations within African football.
The letter stood as a gesture of dignity following defeat and reflected Eto’o’s desire to promote respect, dialogue, and shared values across the continent, even in moments of sporting disappointment.
