Cameroonian football is reeling after the unexpected exit of the national team from the African Nations Championship (CHAN), following their defeat to the Central African Republic (CAR) in Bafoussam.
This setback, which ensures Cameroon will not compete in CHAN 2024, has reignited fierce debates about the management of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) under Samuel Eto’o’s presidency.
Eto’o, elected as president in December 2021, promised a new era for Cameroonian football, aiming to improve both the domestic league and national teams.
Pas de CHAN pour le #Cameroun ! #football https://t.co/syJbCrsh7m pic.twitter.com/Xta1CuPQO7
— Afrik-Foot (@afrikfoot) December 28, 2024
His tenure, however, has been marked by a series of disappointments, overshadowing his initial successes, including the qualification of the Indomitable Lions for the 2022 World Cup.
Since then, Cameroon’s performances have faltered, with a poor Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign and underwhelming results from the country’s youth teams at various age levels.
The failure to qualify for CHAN is seen by many as a symptom of deeper systemic issues within the sport’s structure.
Yvan Kamwa, a sports consultant, sharply criticizes the lack of progress under Eto’o’s leadership.
Three years after the promises of improvement, the results are negative.
Local teams and national teams continue to suffer from major structural defects,” Kamwa says. He points to the ongoing issues of professionalism within the national leagues and the absence of a cohesive strategy to elevate the standard of Cameroonian football.
At the heart of the controversy is Eto’o himself.
The former football icon, still a polarizing figure after three years in office, continues to face intense scrutiny.
🔴 Samuel Eto’o a de grandes ambitions pour le football camerounais :
« Cette année, ne voulons que notre championnat soit le meilleur du continent et ceci ne pourra pas se faire sans l’accompagnement de notre maison habituelle. Grand merci de nous faire confiance et j’espère… pic.twitter.com/aroK5HZjm2
— AllezLesLions (@AllezLesLions) December 5, 2024
Earlier this month, Eto’o boldly claimed that he aimed to make Cameroon “the best championship on the continent” this year.
However, critics argue that his leadership has been marred by mismanagement and a lack of transparency, particularly regarding funding for the national teams.
Journalist Venant Mboua urges FECAFOOT to clarify Eto’o’s statements about personal funding, which he describes as opaque and damaging to the organization’s credibility.
Despite the criticisms, there are also voices defending Eto’o’s leadership.
Supporters argue that he cannot be held solely responsible for every failure, with Radio Sport Info (RSI) stating, “As a player, he gave his all. As a manager, every time a team plays, everything is prepared.
La reprise tardive du championnat, l’une des causes de la débâcle des Lions A prime selon vous ? 🤔🇨🇲 pic.twitter.com/28KAAoXuzt
— AllezLesLions (@AllezLesLions) December 29, 2024
But in the event of a defeat, he becomes the man to beat.
Eto’o’s presidency has also been challenged by the deep-rooted issues within FECAFOOT, an organization historically tainted by corruption and mismanagement.
Some argue that blaming Eto’o for these long-standing problems is unfair, given the short time he has spent in office.
The case of Cameroon’s local team highlights several critical issues.
The delayed start of the Elite One league and the lack of consistent competition for local players severely hampered their preparation.
The appointment of coaches has also been a source of contention, with some failing to meet expectations.
Notably, Belgian coach Marc Brys, appointed against Eto’o’s wishes, has managed to achieve some success, including guiding Cameroon to a CHAN qualification without suffering a single defeat.
Youth football, crucial for the long-term development of the national team, also remains underfunded, a problem that predates Eto’o’s tenure but persists under his leadership.
The aftermath of Cameroon’s CHAN elimination has also reignited the debate about the role of the state in managing the country’s football affairs.
8 mois sans championnat mais ont voulaient ce qualifier pour le CHAN.
Sous cette administration de la Fecafoot, le foot s’ecroule.
-Les Lionnes ne se sont pas qualifiées pour la CAN pour la première fois depuis 2000.
-Pas de CHAN pour le 🇨🇲 pour la première fois depuis 2014.
— NJIE ENOW: The Razzmatazz (@NjieEnow) December 28, 2024
The press, including Actu Cameroun, has raised the question of whether the government should take a more direct role in overseeing national football teams.
Pointing to Marc Brys’ successful tenure, the publication suggests that government intervention could yield better results.
The supporters, tired of repeated failures, are calling for direct intervention,” the article reads, highlighting the growing discontent with FECAFOOT’s management.
As Eto’o faces increasing criticism, he will need to address these challenges and rebuild public trust if he hopes to restore confidence in Cameroonian football.
The road ahead looks difficult, but for many, it is a critical moment in the future of the sport in the country.
