Samuel Eto’o has paid tribute to former Cameroon Football Federation president Iya Mohamed during the inauguration of the new headquarters of FECAFOOT, describing him as the driving force behind the long-delayed project completed in 2026.
The ceremony, held on Wednesday 13 May 2026, brought together key figures from Cameroonian football, including federation officials and representatives of the Confederation of African Football, among them CAF president Patrice Motsepe.
In a widely anticipated address, current FECAFOOT president Samuel Eto’o highlighted the origins of the project and credited Iya Mohamed for initiating the vision during his tenure between 2000 and 2013.
Eto’o said:
“Iya Mohamed had a much longer-term vision. He is the beginning of this beautiful dream. He was right. He understood what the history of our football needed: an administration worthy of our football. It took us 14 years. And so, his dream has come true.”
The former Barcelona and Inter Milan striker stressed that the completion of the headquarters represented the fulfilment of a plan conceived more than a decade ago, underlining the importance of continuity in football administration projects.
The new facility is expected to serve as a central hub for the management of football in Cameroon, reflecting broader efforts to modernise the country’s sporting infrastructure.
The inauguration also marked a symbolic moment for Cameroonian football authorities, who have faced years of delays and restructuring efforts before finally completing the project.
Officials present at the event described the development as a step forward for the organisation’s governance and operational capacity.
Eto’o’s remarks were widely interpreted as a recognition of the foundation laid by previous leadership, while also signalling the federation’s intention to build on that legacy in the years ahead.
The presence of continental football figures, including CAF representatives, further underlined the significance of the event within African football administration circles.
With the headquarters now officially open, FECAFOOT is expected to focus on strengthening its structures and improving coordination across all levels of the game in Cameroon.
