Former TKC Yaoundé player who captain the Indomitable Lions to their first appearance at an African Cup of Nations in 1970 in Khartoum, Sudan has died aged 84.

Pascal Owona passed away on 5 February 2025 in Paris, France following an undisclosed illness. He was one of the most loved players in the history of Cameroonian football.

During his career he led the Indomitable Lions to an unexpected victory over Côte d’Ivoire. After trailing 2-0, Cameroon eventually won 3-2.

Pascal Owona was a hero to millions not just in TKC or the Indomitable Lions, but also deep within the ruling CPDM party.

He was admired for his sportsmanship but disliked for his role in keeping President Biya in power.  

He was kicked out of the Cameroon Football Federation by a controversial Sports Minister who was extremely lacking in managerial finesse but he returned to the limelight as an agent of the ruling party and helped organized counterfeit presidential elections that guaranteed President Biya’s continued stay in power.

By Rita Akana

Cameroon head coach Marc Brys has delivered a defiant message following the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 draw, declaring that his team fears no opponent, including defending champions Côte d’Ivoire.

The two footballing powerhouses will meet in Group F, setting up one of the most anticipated clashes of the tournament.

“We must be careful, stay true to our playing philosophy, add passion and the enthusiasm common to the Cameroonian people. We will be ready,” Brys said at the draw event in Rabat on Monday night.

“We are not afraid of any team.”

The upcoming group-stage encounter between Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire rekindles a fierce rivalry that saw the Indomitable Lions secure a narrow 1-0 victory in their last meeting during the 2021 AFCON qualifiers.

Group F also includes Gabon and Mozambique, making it one of the tournament’s most competitive groups.

Brys, who stood alongside former Ivorian captain Serge Aurier during the draw, acknowledged the historical weight of the matchup but remained confident.

“I am aware of the historical rivalry between the two countries. The only thing is to stay focused and be ourselves. Of course, they won the last AFCON, but we will be ready for the match,” the Belgian tactician emphasized.

Brys expressed satisfaction with the make-up of his squad, describing it as a “good mix” of experienced players and emerging talent.

“I have a team that combines a lot of experience and youth. It is a good mix. We must remain united and motivated,” he added.

Cameroon versus Côte d’Ivoire promises to be one of the defining moments of the group stage, with Brys confident in his team’s ability to rise to the occasion.

“The biggest opponent will be ourselves. We must remain disciplined, motivated, and fearless,” he concluded.

The Indomitable Lions, five-time AFCON champions, will rely on this balance to navigate a group that includes Côte d’Ivoire, fresh from their title-winning campaign on home soil, as well as an ambitious Gabonese side and an improving Mozambique.

The 2025 AFCON, scheduled from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, will feature 24 teams competing in six Moroccan cities.

With six groups, the tournament format will see the top two teams in each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, advance to the knockout stages.

Host nation Morocco headlines Group A, which includes Mali, Zambia, and Comoros, while other groups promise equally exciting matchups:

• Group B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe
• Group C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania
• Group D: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, Botswana
• Group E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan
• Group F: Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique

Morocco, returning as AFCON hosts for the first time since 1988, is among the favorites following their historic semi-final finish at the 2022 World Cup.

The tournament will be a showcase of African football’s finest talent, with Morocco set to play their group matches in Rabat.

Source: CAF

The State of Cameroon has just paid 560 million to the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT). The money will be used to pay the salaries of players playing for clubs in the Elite One and Elite Two leagues.

In a press release issued on Tuesday 21 January, the Cameroon Football Federation announced that the Cameroon government had made available the sum of 560 million CFA francs. According to the statement issued by Cameroon’s football governing body, these funds represent State support for the payment of the salaries of players from clubs involved in Elite One and Elite Two.

To ensure the transparent management of these funds, FECAFOOT has asked the Cameroon National Football Association (ANFC) to take the necessary steps to allocate the quotas. Proof of payment of players’ salaries is required for this purpose.

By Rita Akana

Samuel Eto’o, the four-time African Player of the Year, this week visited Cairo where he met Egypt’s Sports Minister Ashraf Sobhi and congratulated the new board of the Egyptian Football Association (EFA).

Eto’o, currently the president of the Cameroonian Football Association, congratulated the new board members, headed by FIFA and CAF executive board member Hani Abu Rida, after they won elections last month by acclamation. They will lead the EFA for the next four years.

“Thank you for coming to congratulate Abu Rida, the ‘godfather of Egyptian football’. Glad to meet you again in Egypt,” Sobhi told Eto’o, who had made a surprise visit to the EFA headquarters.

Eto’o was also in Egypt to support Cameroon’s Under-18 women’s football team who are to meet their Egyptian counterparts in the African qualifications for the FIFA U-18 world Cup. The home game is to take place on Sunday 12 January at the 30 June Stadium. The return game is scheduled for 18 January in Cameroon.

Eto’o, 43, joined Barcelona in 2004 where he scored 130 goals in five seasons, winning La Liga three times and the UEFA Champions League once.

As a member of the Cameroon national team, he was part of the squad that won the gold medal at the 2000 Olympics. He also won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2000 and 2002. He is the all-time leading scorer in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations with 18 goals.

Eto’o also participated in four World Cups.

He announced his retirement from international football in August 2014.

Source: ahramonline

What gives them joy in Yaoundé is not only the slaughtering of innocent English speaking Cameroonians by the Francophone dominated military but also the important role played by Anglophones in the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.

Renowned academic Dr Claude Kana has sounded a note of caution to the regime in Yaoundé and he recently reminded Yaoundé of the contributions made by Southern Cameroonians to the success of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon from 1964-2020. He was helped in his effort by veteran sports journalist DJOMO Kevin.

Indeed, since the early days of the reunification of the two Cameroons, Southern Cameroonians have played an important part in the history of the Indomitable Lions. EBAÏ Fidelis was the first to be selected in 1964 and today a total of 36 have worn the green, red, yellow outfit and two of have been captains: TATAW ETA Stephen and EYONG ENOW Tarkang.

This is the list compiled by Dr Claude Kana

EBAÏ Fidelis, NDIEFFI Steven 404, MAKOLE Sher, NANGOH David, KULU Emmanuel, KANG Wilson, MUKUBE Vincent, EWUNKEM Joseph, NGOH Franklin, EPIE NZAMS Charly, DOCTOR EKWE Fabian, BEN BOLA Forshu, NDIP AKEM Victor, NLEND ANJUMA Simon, NTAMARK Charly, AGBO Hans, TATAW ETA Stephen, EKEME NDIBA Samy, BEKIMA ASHU Charles, ASHU NTONG, OBONAYA Edwin, SHI FRU Celestine, ESSA Pius, NJUME NTOKO Roland, NJANG Sunday, ETCHI OBEN Ernest, SIMO Augustine, NDIEFFI Pius, DJAMA MBAH Robert, WAMFOR Justice, EYONG ENOW Tarkang, ANDONGCHO Mbuta, FAÏ Collins Ngoran, NJIÉ Clinton, NDIP TAMBE Robert, BOKWE Georges.

By Chi Prudence Asong

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who has been without a club since the end of his contract with Bayern Munich, is preparing to take on a new challenge in Major League Soccer (MLS).

Media reports in the West say the 35-year-old Cameroonian striker has signed for New York Red Bulls, marking a turning point in his rich career.

Having played for prestigious clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, Choupo-Moting has forged a reputation as a versatile and valuable player, often decisive in crucial moments. With Bayern, he won several Bundesliga titles and took part in major Champions League campaigns.

As well as winning trophies, the Cameroon international also showed his professionalism and ability to adapt, whether at Stoke City in the Premier League or Schalke 04 in the Bundesliga. However, the end of his contract with the Bavarian giants last June raised doubts about the future of his career.

By Chi Prudence Asong