8, August 2024
FECAFOOT cancels kit deal with One All Sports 0
FECAFOOT on Monday terminated its contract with American Sportswear giant One All Sports, ending a two-year partnership.
In a release announcing the termination, the Secretary General of FECAFOOT Blaise Djounang cited contractual breaches as the reason for the decision.
The Blaise statement furthered “The Cameroon Football Federation places great importance on the proper fulfillment of contractual obligations by both parties. That’s why we’ve terminated this contract and ended the partnership with this supplier.”
Cameroon Concord News understands that the Indomitable Lions will wear the One All Sports product for the last time in September before the federation launches a tender to find a new kit supplier.
The Samuel Eto’o teleguided decision comes as the qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) are set to begin next month. The Indomitable Lions, grouped with Namibia, Kenya, and Zimbabwe, will start their qualification campaign on September 6, 2024, in Douala against Namibia.
Tensions between Fecafoot and One All Sports had been brewing for months. In March 2024, the federation had already expressed concerns about the non-compliance with certain contractual clauses.
One All Sports was chosen to replace the French supplier Le Coq Sportif, whose contract had been terminated prematurely for similar reasons. At the time, Fecafoot hailed the contract with the American brand as the most lucrative in its history, with a commitment of XAF1 billion annually or XAF3 billion throughout the contract period. The amount was more than double what Le Coq Sportif offered. However, the partnership with One All Sports ultimately failed to meet Fecafoot’s expectations. Based in Bangkok and primarily known for its activities in motorsports, One All Sports was at the center of controversy from the beginning, notably due to the dispute with Le Coq Sportif.
Rita Akana with files from Koaci
8, August 2024
Football: Portugal defender Pepe announces retirement at 41 0
Portugal veteran Pepe announced on Thursday in a video on social media he was retiring from football aged 41.
“I would like to thank you all,” said the centre-back as he cited the clubs he represented, as well as the Portuguese national team and his family.
“Everyone gave me the support I needed to leave with my mind at ease.”
Pepe joined Portuguese side Maritimo at the age of 18 and went on to play for Porto, Spanish giants Real Madrid and Turkish club Besiktas.
He spent a trophy-laden 10 years with Madrid, where he won three Champions Leagues, two Club World Cups and three Spanish league titles.
He also enjoyed two stints at Porto, between 2004-2007 and 2019-2024, winning a total of four Portuguese championships and five Portuguese Cups.
Although born in Brazil, the centre-back made his international debut for his adopted country of Portugal in 2007 and went on to earn 141 caps, winning the their first piece of major silverware at Euro 2016, as well as the Nations League three years later.
Pepe set a new record as the oldest player to ever play at a European Championship when he started Portugal’s opening game at Euro 2024, aged 41.
Portugal’s elimination on penalties at the quarter-final stage of the tournament against France turned out to be the final game of Pepe’s 22-year career at the top level of the game.
Portuguese football federation president Fernando Gomes labelled the defender “one of the greatest players of all time” and thanked him for his “extraordinary professionalism, dedication… and passion for football”.
Source: AFP