A heated confrontation reportedly broke out on Wednesday morning between Samuel Eto’o, President of the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot), and controversial political figure Gilbert Baongla at Douala International Airport’s VIP lounge.
The incident has reignited public scrutiny of both men, whose turbulent relationship has often played out in the media.
According to reports shared by journalist Osasu Obayiuwana of The Guardian, the altercation stemmed from a business-related dispute that escalated into a physical confrontation.
Baongla, frequently referred to in Cameroonian media as the illegitimate son of President Paul Biya, was allegedly involved in a verbal and physical exchange with Eto’o, a former football star turned administrator.
@FecafootOfficie President and @CAF_Online exco member @SamuelEtoo is said to have thrown hands with Gilbert Baongla, a business associate, at the VIP section of Douala Airport on Wednesday morning.
They were reportedly arguing over a business dispute,” Obayiuwana posted on X (formerly Twitter).
While neither party has issued an official statement, the encounter adds to the growing list of controversies that have trailed Eto’o in recent months.
The Fecafoot president has faced allegations of financial mismanagement and rifts with former colleagues, including ex-international Benoît Angbwa.
This latest incident also follows a string of provocative public remarks.
Only weeks ago, during an appearance on InfoTV’s talk show À Vous La Parole, Baongla described Eto’o as a feyman, a Cameroonian slang term for a scammer, and further labelled him a “mentally handicapped child.
The harsh words underscored the personal animosity between the two men—an animosity that now appears to have spilled into physical confrontation.
Political figures have not stayed silent. Opposition leader Narcisse Nganchop responded sharply after the airport incident, denouncing Baongla as a “child of shame” and a “crook,” reviving long-standing allegations about Baongla’s paternity and business dealings.
As the dust settles, the fallout from this altercation could cast a longer shadow over the public image of both men.
For Eto’o, once a symbol of sporting excellence, such episodes risk eroding his reputation at a time when his leadership of Cameroon’s football body continues to face intense scrutiny.
For Baongla, the confrontation adds to a litany of public controversies that have defined his political life.
The story continues to unfold, and clarity may only come if either party chooses to break their silence.
Until then, Cameroonians are left with yet another scandal blurring the lines between politics, power, and public conduct.
