Michaely Bihina’s Cameroon breakthrough follows Samuel Eto’o’s long-term promise

Michaely Bihina played a decisive role in Cameroon’s historic Women’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph, but her rise to prominence was also shaped by a personal pledge from Fecafoot president Samuel Eto’o.

The 22-year-old goalkeeper was named the tournament’s best in her position after a series of outstanding performances for the Indomitable Lionesses. Following Cameroon’s continental success, Eto’o revealed that he had first contacted Bihina three and a half years ago, when she had several offers and was still establishing herself.

Eto’o said the goalkeeper was initially so surprised by the call that she did not believe it was really him.

“There were three and a half years, I made my first call to the players. Our goalkeeper, who had received several offers, I called her. She was surprised and, at first, she did not even believe it was me,” Eto’o said.

The former Cameroon striker told Bihina he believed he could help provide the conditions required for success, but asked her to trust him over the long term.

“I am convinced that I can give you the tools to win. But I need you to trust me. It may take one month, two months, two years or three years, but we will win,” he told her.

After Cameroon secured the title, Eto’o returned to that conversation with a message of thanks.

“Today, I simply want to say to her: thank you for believing in me.”

Bihina’s performances in the knockout rounds gave particular weight to Eto’o’s recollection.

In the quarter-final against Nigeria, one of the tournament’s leading contenders, she made nine saves as Cameroon eliminated the favourites. She was again central to the result in the semi-final against Morocco, where she produced several important interventions and stopped four penalties in total to send her side through to the final.

Those displays earned Bihina the award for best goalkeeper at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Her influence was so significant that many observers expected her to be named the overall player of the tournament as well.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) instead gave that prize to her Cameroon team-mate Monique Ngock. Ngock was recognised for her considerable contribution to the team’s collective balance, particularly during the victory over Morocco.

The decision prompted debate because Bihina had such a direct impact on Cameroon’s most important matches. Her saves repeatedly changed the course of games and helped carry the Indomitable Lionesses to a landmark continental title.

For Eto’o and Bihina, however, the individual awards were secondary to the achievement itself. Three and a half years after the first phone call described by the Fecafoot president, the goalkeeper and the federation chief can now look back on a promise that has been fulfilled.

Bihina emerged as one of the defining figures of Cameroon’s historic Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign, while Eto’o’s account offered a glimpse into the relationship of trust that had developed during her rise with the national team.