James Eto’o’s anticipated debut for the Indomitable Lions was abruptly derailed when South African border authorities denied him entry due to a passport mishap.
The CSKA Sofia midfielder, who was set to feature in Cameroon’s upcoming World Cup qualifier against Eswatini, failed to present his Cameroonian passport, which he had left behind in Bulgaria.
Costly Oversight Before Crucial Fixture
The situation was confirmed by Thierry Ndoh, the team’s press officer, just hours before Cameroon’s match in Nelspruit for the fifth round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
“The Indomitable Lions arrived in Nelspruit at 3:55 a.m. local time and 2:55 a.m. in Cameroon, after nearly a five-hour drive.
They are staying at the Anew Resort White River. There are 23 Indomitable Lions in Nelspruit, as James Eto’o was turned away by the South African border police for not having a Cameroonian passport. A document he unfortunately left behind in Bulgaria,” Ndoh stated.
The incident raises concerns about administrative oversight within the national team’s management.
Typically, a team manager or coordinator is responsible for ensuring all players have the necessary documentation before departure.
This lapse, following an already challenging journey, adds another setback for the squad.
Midfield Depth Further Weakened
Eto’o’s absence compounds an already troubling midfield situation for Cameroon.
Head coach Marc Brys was already without key players, including Neyou and André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, both ruled out of the fixture.
With limited options, Brys is expected to rely on Carlos Baleba and Martin Hongla to anchor the midfield.
For Eto’o, the setback is a significant personal disappointment. The young midfielder had been eager to earn his first cap for Cameroon, a milestone that will now have to wait.
Despite this unfortunate episode, he will hope for another opportunity in future fixtures.
As Cameroon prepares for the crucial qualifier against Eswatini, questions remain over how such an oversight occurred and what measures will be taken to prevent similar issues in the future.
