April 4, (THEWILL)- Tensions are high in Cameroonian football after the country’s Federation President Samuel Eto’o accused the Sports Ministry of making an “illegal” appointment of a new national team coach. In a letter made public on Wednesday, the 43-year-old former striker denounced the ministry’s hiring of Belgian Marc Brys to lead the Indomitable Lions, stating it was done “outside any legal and regulatory framework.”
The Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot) expressed regret at being excluded from the selection process, saying the act violates a presidential decree giving them responsibility for managing the national teams. “The national Federation cannot recognise these appointments,” insisted Eto’o, Cameroon’s all-time top scorer. Fecafoot claims they provided a list of coaching candidates but received no response before Brys’ surprise unveiling on Tuesday.
The 61-year-old Brys, who has managed clubs in Belgium, the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia, replaces Rigobert Song after Cameroon’s last 16 exit at the Africa Cup of Nations in January. He becomes the third Belgian to coach the Indomitable Lions, following Hugo Broos who led them to AFCON glory in 2017. However, his appointment seems set for a legal challenge from the Federation.
Cameroon currently tops their 2026 World Cup qualifying group following a win over Mauritius and a draw in Libya. However, with Eto’o and the sports ministry at loggerheads over the coaching situation, the buildup to June’s resumption of the campaign looks set to be overshadowed by conflict within the Cameroonian football hierarchy.
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Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
