Samuel Eto’o has been re-elected as the president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot) in a unanimous vote. The former Barcelona star secured all 85 votes at the General Assembly held in the country’s central region, confirming his second mandate as head of the federation.
The re-election process was not without controversy, as Cameroon’s education ministry, which oversees the sports portfolio, had opposed the exercise and called for its cancellation. Additionally, a group of protesters gathered outside the meeting venue, accusing Eto’o of misconduct and mismanaging Cameroonian football. The opposition to his presidency has been growing, particularly after the national team, the Indomitable Lions, failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Eto’o’s first term as president has been marked by criticism over the underperformance of the national team and allegations of mismanagement. Despite these challenges, he has maintained a strong support base within the federation, which was evident in the unanimous vote in his favor. The re-election is seen as a significant development in Cameroonian football, with many waiting to see how Eto’o will address the concerns and criticisms surrounding his leadership.
The education ministry’s opposition to the re-election process highlights the deeper issues within Cameroonian football, including concerns over governance and accountability. The ministry’s call for cancellation of the Assembly was based on concerns over the legitimacy of the process, which has been a subject of debate in recent weeks.
As Eto’o begins his second term, he will face significant pressure to address the concerns of his critics and improve the performance of the national team. The failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup has been a major setback for Cameroonian football, and Eto’o will need to demonstrate a clear plan to restore the team’s competitiveness on the international stage. With his re-election, Eto’o has been given a second chance to prove himself as a leader, and the eyes of the football world will be on him as he navigates the challenges ahead.