The tension surrounding Cameroon’s AFCON 2025 qualifier against Namibia took an unexpected turn just hours before kick-off. Samuel Eto’o, president of the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot), has reignited the possibility of fielding the U20 national team in Saturday’s crucial match in Garoua, following an unresolved dispute with the Ministry of Sports.
The conflict centers on the Indomitable Lions’ passports, which are reportedly being held by the Ministry of Sports staff. This situation has prevented the players from being officially registered for the match.
In response, Fecafoot, under Eto’o’s leadership, took legal action, demanding that head coach Marc Brys hand over the passports via an official bailiff.
The lack of resolution by match day has kept the threat of replacing the senior team with the U20 squad a very real possibility.
In a proactive move, Fecafoot had already mobilized the U20 team, which was initially scheduled to depart for Garoua earlier in the week.
Despite a change in plans, the young squad, bolstered by a few players from the domestic league, traveled to northern Cameroon by land and arrived late Friday evening.
The arrival of the U20s underscores Eto’o’s seriousness in addressing the situation, leaving the possibility of them taking the field against Namibia on the table.
This dramatic development follows reports that the former Inter Milan star’s threat to play the U20 team had been neutralized.
However, the lack of cooperation from the Ministry of Sports has rekindled the conflict, casting uncertainty over Cameroon’s opening match in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers.
The situation remains fluid, with all eyes on whether the senior Indomitable Lions will be able to take their place on the pitch or if Eto’o will make good on his warning, further escalating tensions within Cameroonian football.
Arrivée des Lions U20 en compagnie de quelques joueurs de la MTN Élite One à Garoua !
Les joueurs auraient voyagé dans l’anonymat et ont rejoint la capitale du Nord en vue d’une possibilité de disputer la rencontre contre la Namibie.😳😲🇨🇲🦁 pic.twitter.com/MWpnKkND38
— Griffe 2 F⚽⚽T🇨🇲 (@Griffe2Foot) September 6, 2024
