Tensions within the Cameroon national team have intensified following a show of support for head coach Marc Brys, with captain Vincent Aboubakar now facing accusations of hypocrisy from former teammate Fabrice Olinga.
Players rally behind Brys amid feud with Fecafoot
On the eve of their crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier against Libya, the Indomitable Lions issued a unified statement backing head coach Marc Brys in his ongoing dispute with the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot).
The statement, read by Aboubakar, reaffirmed the squad’s “unwavering support” for the Belgian manager while also urging Fecafoot president Samuel Eto’o to allow Brys to work with his assistant, Joachim Mununga.
Despite the players’ appeal, Mununga was once again left out of the official team setup during Tuesday’s 3-1 victory at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaoundé.
Olinga’s cryptic message sparks controversy
In the aftermath of the public declaration, Fabrice Olinga, a former Cameroon international, appeared to take aim at Aboubakar with a cryptic social media post.
“An old man once told me that he who listens for hours is more powerful than he who speaks for hours. When one of the biggest hypocrites is among the leaders of the national team… Go Lions,” Olinga wrote on Snapchat.
Though he did not explicitly name Aboubakar, the timing and wording of the message have led to widespread speculation that it was directed at the Cameroon captain.
The two played together in the national team between 2012 and 2017, though Olinga has not received a call-up since 2020.
Ties to Eto’o add further intrigue
Olinga’s comments have raised further questions about internal divisions within Cameroonian football.
The 28-year-old forward was previously regarded as a close ally of Eto’o, and although their relationship has reportedly cooled in recent years, his remarks suggest he remains aligned with the Fecafoot president.
The ongoing dispute between Fecafoot and Brys has cast a shadow over the team’s World Cup qualification campaign, despite their recent success on the pitch.
With Cameroon still facing key fixtures ahead, the growing discord threatens to disrupt the squad’s unity at a crucial moment.
