Samuel Eto'o Back in the Game After Drama with New Coach Brys Focuses on Cameroon's Football Future

Samuel Eto'o, the president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot), has broken his silence following a period of turmoil surrounding the appointment of new coach Marc Brys and the recent passing of his father. Eto'o, who had not publicly commented since Brys's appointment, which was seen as a snub as he was not consulted beforehand by his supervising ministry, has finally spoken out. This silence was all the more noticeable as Eto'o was also dealing with accusations of match manipulation in the domestic league.

However, in recent days, it has been his general secretary, Blaise Djounang, who has taken the lead in the controversy surrounding the selection of the Indomitable Lions. Despite this, Eto'o remains an influential figure, orchestrating affairs behind the scenes. In a telephone interview with journalist Philippe Doucet, Eto'o downplayed the recent upheavals, stressing the need to focus on the national team's immediate future. "Now, it is Cameroon that we must look at and we must get to work because we have already lost a lot of time," Eto'o said, signaling a desire to turn the page and focus on qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

This statement comes after the list of players selected by Brys for the upcoming matches against Cape Verde and Angola was approved without modification, a potential sign of a return to stability. Nevertheless, questions remain about the power dynamics within Fecafoot, particularly regarding the role of Benjamin Banlock, Eto'o's former general secretary and current general coordinator of national teams, with whom he has a strained relationship. Philippe Doucet of Canal+ points out that this appointment could be a major source of conflict, as Banlock now has significant control over the finances and management of the national team. This complex context could further influence the way Brys's assistants are chosen and the future management of the team.

In this charged environment, Eto'o's ability to navigate these troubled waters and maintain coherence in the team's management will be crucial to the future success of the Indomitable Lions.