Cameroon goalkeeper André Onana has sought to clarify his position amid growing tensions between the country’s Ministry of Sports and the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot) ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifier against Namibia. Speaking at a press conference on Friday in Garoua, Onana directly addressed the ongoing power struggle, making clear where his loyalty lies during this fraught period.
The rift between the Ministry of Sports, led by Minister Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, and Fecafoot, headed by the iconic Samuel Eto’o, has cast a shadow over Cameroon’s national football setup in recent months.
The discord began when Marc Brys was appointed head coach of the Indomitable Lions by the Ministry of Sports, a move that was not fully backed by Eto’o and Fecafoot.
The conflict has since created a divide in the team’s operations, with the players caught in the middle.
Despite the backdrop of internal wrangling, Onana was keen to assure the media that the team’s focus remains squarely on their footballing duties.
He emphasized the importance of adhering to the established hierarchy, indicating his respect for the decisions made by the coaching staff.
“As players, we don’t have a problem with the venue,” Onana stated, referring to the decision to play the match in Garoua instead of the capital Yaoundé.
“That’s why we remained calm. The players don’t have a bias.
We respect the hierarchy. The coach selects us and gives us the programme.
We don’t decide where we’re going to play.”
This measured response reflects Onana’s desire to keep the team unified despite the distractions.
He affirmed the team’s professional responsibility, stating, “We are professionals.
When we’re asked to go to Garoua, we’re all happy to go to Garoua. We’re executors.
We have our boss who is our coach.”
Although Onana’s comments appear neutral on the surface, his reference to “the coach” as the team’s leader is a pointed remark in the current context.
The Manchester United goalkeeper’s words suggest that his allegiance lies with Marc Brys, the coach appointed by the Ministry of Sports, rather than with Eto’o, despite the increasingly strained relationship between the two figures.
Eto’o, once a close ally of Onana, has reportedly seen their relationship cool in recent years, a shift that has not gone unnoticed in the football world.
As Cameroon prepares to face Namibia in Garoua, the focus will inevitably return to the pitch.
Yet, the ongoing struggle between Eto’o and Brys, each representing different power centers within Cameroon’s footballing infrastructure, looms large.
How this power play will unfold remains to be seen, but for now, Onana and his teammates are choosing to focus on their immediate task: securing victory and progressing toward AFCON 2025.
Despite the tension, Onana’s message was clear: the players will follow the coach’s lead, putting football first in what is a critical moment for Cameroon’s national team.
🎙️André Onana : 🇨🇲🦁
« Notre patron c’est le coach. C’est lui qui décide. »
[En conférence de Presse d’avant match ] pic.twitter.com/f0eUzT5alM
— L’equipe237 (@LEquipe237) September 6, 2024
