The Cameroon national football team, known as the Indomitable Lions, has chosen to convene in Yaoundé, defying the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot) and its president, Samuel Eto’o, in a growing conflict with the Ministry of Sports (Minsep) over the venue for their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifier against Namibia.
As the team begins preparations for the first two days of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, the dispute between Fecafoot and Minsep has intensified.
Fecafoot, determined to host the players in Douala, had arranged for the squad to gather at the La Falaise Bonanjo hotel, where assistant coach Martin Ndtoungou Mpile awaited them.
Meanwhile, Minsep had instructed the players to report to the Hilton hotel in Yaoundé, creating confusion and division within the camp.
In a decisive move, several key players, including team captain Vincent Aboubakar, have chosen to align with the Ministry of Sports by gathering in Yaoundé.
Photos circulating on social media show Aboubakar alongside defenders Michael Ngadeu and Jules Armand Kooh, as well as other prominent players such as Carlos Baleba, Jackson Tchatchoua, Faï Collins, Boris Enow, and Georges-Kévin Nkoudou, at the Hilton in Yaoundé, engaging in discussions with coach Marc Brys and fitness trainer Christophe Manouvrier.
This action underscores the players’ preference for Minsep’s arrangements, mirroring a similar situation in June when the squad also sided with the Ministry.
The players were caught between two conflicting directives, but their decision to gather in Yaoundé has once again placed pressure on Fecafoot, raising questions about the federation’s influence and authority.
Fecafoot, which had warned Aboubakar and other players just days ago about potential consequences, might consider escalating the situation by threatening to report the players to FIFA.
Such a move could deepen the rift between the federation and the players, further complicating preparations for the crucial qualifier.
The venue for Saturday’s match against Namibia has also become a point of contention.
While Minsep and coach Marc Brys favored hosting the match in Yaoundé, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) approved Garoua as the official location.
Despite Minsep’s objections, the team is obligated to travel to Garoua to avoid forfeiting the match, as the CAF’s decision is binding.
As tensions between Fecafoot and Minsep continue to rise, the situation remains fluid, with potential implications for the unity and focus of the Indomitable Lions ahead of their AFCON 2025 qualifying campaign.
🎥 Les Lions indomptables actuellement en toute convivialité à l’hôtel Hilton, à Yaoundé. 🦁🇨🇲
[via TyJu Info Sport] pic.twitter.com/xzmeDXsXz5
— AllezLesLions (@AllezLesLions) September 2, 2024
