The football landscape in Cameroon is facing turmoil as the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) has stirred controversy by revealing a list of 62 footballers involved in the playoffs of the nation’s top-flight championship with potential double identity issues.
Among them is 17-year-old Victoria United FC midfielder Nathan Doualla, who recently represented Cameroon in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.
This move, orchestrated by the office of FECAFOOT’s Secretary General, aims to prevent administrative conflicts over points during the upcoming relegation and title playoffs.
YOSA of Bamenda leads with 13 players under scrutiny, while Victoria United, involved in a recent legal dispute with YOSA on similar grounds, has seven players on the list, including Douala, current deputy top scorer Nji Richmond, and former U-20 international Benga Williams Tchuente, now known as Kylan Tcunte.
AS Fortuna, UMS of Loum, and Colombe of Dja also grapple with seven and five players, respectively, facing identity concerns.
Twelve of the 16 playoff-involved clubs are racing against the clock to clarify their players’ situations before the Monday deadline at 3:30 pm.
Cotonsport, Aigle, Stade Renard, and Canon Yaounde are the exceptions without players facing double identity issues.
The FECAFOOT Secretariat, led by Secretary General Blaise Djounang, is expected to publish the final list later this week, with playoffs scheduled to commence on March 15th.