A new source of tension has emerged within the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, following reports that Belgian coach Marc Brys has banned Samuel Eto’o, the former football star and current president of the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot), from entering the team’s locker room.
Multiple sources, including Sport News Africa, have confirmed that Brys has taken this firm step to protect the team’s internal dynamics.
According to an exclusive interview with The New York Times, Brys revealed a key clause in his contract that specifically prohibits any official, including Eto’o, from accessing the locker room.
“In the past, people would enter the locker room, so I blocked that in my contract… This is my home, the players’ home, a place where they should feel safe and be able to speak freely.
It’s a much better environment,” Brys explained.
Before Brys’ appointment as head coach, Eto’o had unrestricted access to the locker room, a practice that the new coach has now deemed unacceptable.
This move comes amidst ongoing friction between Brys and Fecafoot, which had initially protested his appointment.
The federation argued that it was not consulted during his recruitment process and was strongly opposed to him taking the managerial role.
Brys, who succeeded Rigobert Song as coach, acknowledged the difficulties he faced when he first took over the reins but emphasized that he remains focused on his primary task of leading the team.
“There have been disruptions, but I have chosen to focus on my role and not let myself be distracted. All my energy is directed towards working with the players and achieving results,” he said.
The decision has raised eyebrows, particularly given Eto’o’s status as one of the most revered figures in Cameroonian football history.
His leadership of the federation, however, has been marked by controversy, including tensions with key figures in the national team setup.
Whether this move will escalate or ease tensions between the coaching staff and Fecafoot remains to be seen, but it certainly adds another layer of complexity to Cameroon’s football landscape as they prepare for future competitions.
