Seydou Mbombo Njoya, one of the four vice-presidents of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and a prominent figure in African football governance, has been ruled out of the race for a position on the CAF Executive Committee (Exco).
This development effectively ends his tenure as CAF Vice President, a position he has held with distinction since aligning himself as a key ally of CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe in 2021.
Njoya’s exclusion stems from the lack of a letter of recommendation from his national federation, FÉCAFOOT, a requirement outlined in CAF’s governing statutes for outgoing candidates seeking re-election.
Under the leadership of Samuel Eto’o, FÉCAFOOT has explicitly refused to back Njoya’s candidacy, a move that underscores ongoing tensions within Cameroonian football leadership.
Without the federation’s endorsement, no Cameroonian candidate can vie for a spot on the Exco, leaving the country without representation in CAF’s upper echelons.
This decision not only sidelines Njoya but also signals a blow to Eto’o’s broader ambitions for increased influence within the continental football body.
Njoya’s departure from CAF governance marks the end of an era for Cameroon, as his contributions have been instrumental in bolstering Motsepe’s authority and shaping African football’s strategic direction.
His absence will likely leave a significant void in CAF’s leadership structure.
