A FIFA threat is hanging over Cameroon following the FECAFOOT – Ministry of Sports contention.

A source close to both the FIFA and FECAFOOT has hinted that FIFA is contemplating a 3-year ban on Cameroon if the government’s interference does not stop.

It should be recalled that the world governing body had released a statement on May 6, 2024, on this situation calling on both parties to respect agreements which had been signed, underscoring that the appointment of a technical team was FECAFOOT’S prerogative.

Meanwhile, a FIFA delegation is expected in Yaounde by midday today to discuss the situation which has divided the country and brought shame to the government.  The delegation, according to our source, will be meeting with the feuding parties.

It is expected that with the arrival of the FIFA delegation, the hatchet will be buried once and for all.

Cameroon is a great footballing nation which brings a lot of fanfare to footballing events organized within and outside the continent. Banning Cameroon will rob the world of that fanfare.

By Besong Eunice Nchong with files

Azerbaijan Deputy Minister Mariana Vasileva held talks with Odette Assembe Engoulou, President of the Cameroon National Badminton Federation and Vice-President of the Cameroon National Olympic and Sports Committee.

During the meeting, Mariana Vasileva informed Odette Assembe Engoulou about Azerbaijan’s achievements and recent developments in sports.

At the same time, Elnur Mammadov, Head of the Sports Department at the Ministry, and Ramil Hajiyev, General Secretary of the Azerbaijan Badminton Federation took part in the meeting.

Source: News.Az

FECAFOOT President Samuel Eto’o will be meeting with President Paul Biya in the days ahead, a source at the Presidency of the Republic has hinted.

According to the source in Yaoundé, Eto’o has been summoned to the Unity Palace following an ongoing crisis in Cameroonian football which began to intensify after the recent Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

In April, Sports Minister Narcisse Mouelle Kombi appointed Marc Brys as the new coach, a decision that did not sit well with Samuel Eto’o. The FECAFOOT president refused to endorse Brys and the staff chosen by the ministry, but made a dramatic u-turn accepting Brys and imposing his own technical, medical, and administrative staff.

Unity Palace is worried that the issue which has brought shame to Cameroon might lead to FIFA jumping in to take a drastic decision.

Etoudi wants to calm things down by talking to Eto’o for him to make some compromises in the interest of the country.

The Francophone CPDM Crime Syndicate understands that as the president of the Cameroon Football Federation, Eto’o’s action may lead to a normalization committee being formed by FIFA.

The source, which elected anonymity, said that President Paul Biya who is respected by Eto’o will personally convince Eto’o to think about the nation and the new generation who are solidly behind Eto’o.

Mr. Biya, the source said, was worried that Eto’o’s appeal to the country’s youth could be a disaster for the country and his ruling party, especially as presidential elections is on the horizon.

It should be recalled that Mr. Eto’o cannot be dismissed by any authority in Cameroon because he is an elected official.

By Rita Akana in Yaoundé

Belgian football technician Marc Brys has been sacked by the President of the Francophone dominated Cameroon Football Federation some few weeks after his controversial managerial appointment.

Brys signed for Cameroon but tension between the Minister of Sports and the FECAFOOT boss Samuel Eto’o has brought an abrupt end to his spell as manager of the Indomitable Lions.

Brys was replaced by Martin Ndtoungou who has now been tasked with preparing the team for the 2026 World cup qualifiers against Cape Verde and Angola.

FECAFOOT have stated they feel now is the right time to make a change.

By Rita Akana

A meeting of the Cameroon Football Federation’s Emergency Committee will be held in the next few hours following a missed working session between president Samuel Eto’o and coach Marc Brys. In a press release following the turbulent session at Fecafoot, the Emergency Committee was convened to address the heated exchange between Samuel Eto’o and Marc Brys.

This committee, tasked with making crucial decisions, will determine the next steps for Cameroon’s national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.  In Cameroon, all eyes are now on Tsinga, anticipating the outcomes of the Emergency Committee’s meeting.

The ongoing crisis in Cameroonian football began to intensify after the recent Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) in Ivory Coast, where the national team’s performance was disappointing. In April, Sports Minister Narcisse Mouelle Kombi appointed Marc Brys as the new coach, a decision that did not sit well with Samuel Eto’o. The Fecafoot president had initially refused to endorse Brys and the staff chosen by the ministry, ultimately accepting Brys but imposing his own technical, medical, and administrative staff.

The conflict came to a head on May 28, during a meeting at the Fecafoot headquarters. The session, which started with a cordial “welcome home” from Eto’o to Brys, quickly escalated. Eto’o clashed with Cyrille Tollo, the sports minister’s technical advisor, demanding Tollo’s expulsion for interfering with a private discussion. “Call security and throw him out! This is the last time, understood?” Eto’o reportedly exclaimed.

Eto’o then pressured Brys to choose sides, asserting his authority as president and criticizing Brys for perceived mistakes. The tense atmosphere prompted Brys to leave the room, leading Eto’o to call for the Emergency Committee’s intervention.

With the World Cup qualifiers looming, the Federation’s swift action is critical. The football community in Cameroon eagerly awaits the committee’s decisions, which will shape the future of the national team and potentially end the ongoing leadership turmoil.

Source: Africa News

The players of the Cameroonian national football team have been left in a state of confusion after receiving invites to two different locations ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in June.

The Samuel Eto-led federation is yet to accept the appointment of Marc Brys as head coach of the Indomitable Lions following the Sports Ministry’s decision to name the Belgian without consulting FECAFOOT.

This has led to a misunderstanding between the two entities that sent letters to players to report to different venues as preparations begin for the World Cup qualifiers.

According to 13 Football, the Sports Ministry chose the Ngoa Ekelle Military Stadium for training while FECAFOOT opted for the Mundi Complex.

FECAFOOT’s coordinator sent messages to players to report at the Mundi Complex this week.

Meanwhile, a second letter was also sent to the team by the Sports Ministry’s representative Benjamin Banlog to meet at another venue.

This has led to disarray as the players who arrived in Cameroon at the end of their European campaign are yet to report to a specified camp.

The power struggle in Cameroonian football arose after the government decided to appoint the next coach following the departure of Rigobert Song, who was widely regarded as an Eto appointment due to their relationship as former teammates.

Before the appointment of the former Royal Antwerp gaffer, FECAFOOT and the Sports Ministry had agreed to work together to find a new coach.

However, a unilateral decision from the government led to the arrival of Brys, who was handed a two-and-a-half-year deal.

Cameroon will face Cape Verde and Angola during the June international break, as reported by Afrique Sports.

Eto’o absent at Marc Brys’ unveiling

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that the FECAFOOT boss Samuel Eto’o was not present at the unveiling of new Indomitable Lions coach, Marc Brys.

The Belgium trainer arrived in Yaoundé on Monday to sign a two-and-a-half-year contract with the five-time African champions.

At a brief meeting held by Cameroon’s Sports Minister, Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, Brys and his technical team were tasked to qualify the country to the 2026 World Cup and also ensure a successful Africa Cup of Nations in 2025.

Source: Sportsbrief

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana says it took him six months “to feel good” at Old Trafford.

United paid £47.2m to sign Onana from Inter Milan in July as replacement for four-time club player of the year David de Gea.

However, despite lofty expectations on his arrival, the Cameroon international was chipped from 50 yards on his Old Trafford debut against Lens and then made a series of errors that contributed to the club’s poor Premier League form and Champions League group-stage elimination.

Onana’s performances didn’t improve significantly until after he returned from the Africa Cup of Nations in February and while he has made the odd mistake, he is now regarded as one of the more reliable members of manager Erik ten Hag’s squad as they head into Saturday’s FA Cup final against rivals Manchester City (15:00 BST).

“I arrived as the best goalkeeper in the world and ‘boom’ it went down. It was like ‘what happened?’,” said the 28-year-old.

“But that is how difficult football is sometimes. It depends if you want to stay down there or stand up and fight. I know what I did to arrive here. I know who I am. I decided to stand up and fight.”

Manchester United keeper, Andre Onana reflects on season and career

Onana cites the example of team-mate Marcus Rashford for why players need to avoid the extremes of judgement.

Rashford scored a career-high 30 goals last season. This term, he has managed eight and didn’t even make England boss Gareth Southgate’s provisional 33-man European Championship squad, let alone the final cut.

“We are talking about the same player,” said Onana. “So now he’s a bad player? No. You can have a bad season or a bad start but the most important thing is how you end.

“Rashy, for me, is one of the best players in the world. But he is facing difficulty. It’s not only him and me but the whole club.

“But he will come back. I know my killer will score some important goals for us. Hopefully against City he will score two and we win the FA Cup.”

‘I don’t mind facing 20 or 30 shots’

The wariness among some United fans about a second consecutive FA Cup final showdown with Manchester City comes from the sheer number of chances their side allows.

There was a seven-game streak between March and April where the opposition had a minimum of 20 shots per match on Onana’s goal.

When they last played City in March, they had three shots to their opponents’ 27 in a 3-1 defeat.

Onana feels this is purely as a consequence of the changes Ten Hag has had to make to his defence.

The partnership between Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez that started at Brighton on 19 May was the 15th different central defensive combination United have deployed this term. No partnership has started more than four consecutive games.

“I don’t mind facing 20 or 30 shots,” said Onana. “I am very happy with what my team-mates are doing because a lot of them make sacrifices for the team.

“It would be nice to have everyone back but what can we do? Hide? We are a big club. We have to go on the front foot and deal with difficulties. I am positive. I know things will get better. If not today, tomorrow.”

‘Ten Hag big enough to back himself’

Onana does not take too much notice of the overwhelming odds in favour of City repeating their triumph of 12 months ago, when United conceded after 12 seconds, the fastest goal in FA Cup final history.

He was part of the Inter Milan side who made life exceptionally difficult for City in last season’s Champions League final and were the better team in periods before eventually losing to Rodri’s decisive strike.

Saturday is clearly a game of huge significance for Ten Hag, whose United future remains open to question.

Onana knows the Dutchman well, having worked with him at Ajax for five years before both left in the same summer, with Ten Hag joining United as he left for Italy.

“I’m not here to back him because he’s big enough to back himself,” said Onana. “But he’s a really good guy, a positive coach and tactically he is good.

“If he had all his squad together, it would probably be different for him, for us, the club and the fans.

“We know how good City are. They are the best team at the moment and we lost twice to them already.

“But we are motivated. Beating them wouldn’t make it a successful season. Playing for this club, I don’t think winning the FA Cup is enough.

“But it would make things look better. We go there to win.”

Source: BBC

In yet another twist in the convoluted saga surrounding the coaching staff of the Cameroon national team, the team appointed by Samuel Eto’o, in lieu of the one designated by the supervising ministry, has been suspended.

This latest development comes after the technical staff chosen by Samuel Eto’o, the president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fécafoot), was sidelined by the Conciliation and Arbitration Chamber of the National Olympic and Sports Committee of Cameroon. This action follows requests from the Association of Amateur Football Clubs of Cameroon (ACFAC) and the Professional Football League of Cameroon (LFPC).

“In accordance with Article 36, paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 of the Statutes and Regulations of Procedures of the Chamber, orders the immediate suspension of the effects of (…) decision AP008/FECAFOOT/PDT/56/2024 appointing members of the technical, medical, and administrative staff of the Cameroon men’s national ‘A’ football team until further notice,” reads a statement.

Eto’o Once Again in a Tight Spot

This decision comes after the former number 9 of the Indomitable Lions was seen on Monday alongside the head of state, Paul Biya, during the national celebration, seemingly endorsing the presidential choice in favor of Eto’o’s staff. Consequently, the former Barcelona star finds himself in hot water. Even though this suspension appears to be a temporary measure pending further examination, it remains unclear who will emerge victorious between Eto’o and the ministry.

As a reminder, the Fécafoot-appointed coaching staff includes assistants Ndtoungou Mpile and David Pagou, Carlos Kameni (goalkeeping coach), Benoit Angbwa (national team coordinator), physician Fotso, and press officer Thierry Ndoh. These individuals are supposed to replace François Omam-Biyik and Cyprian Besong Ashu (assistant coaches), Alioum Boukar, Benjamin Banlock, William Ngatchou Djomo, Germain Noël Essengue, and team manager Dany Nounkeu, respectively.

Source: Afriquesports

The President of the Cameroon Football Federation has maintained only the Belgian coach Marc Brys as head coach of the Indomitable Lions.

FECAFOOT boss Samuel Eto’o reached the decision at the end of a meeting with members of the Emergency Committee of the Cameroon Football Federation that held on May 8 2024.

Apart from the most important position on the staff where FECAFOOT retained the Belgian technician Marc Brys, appointed on April 2, 2024 by the Minister of Sport, President Eto’o swept aside all the other officials appointed by the member of the CPDM government.

Former Indomitable Lions legends Omam Biyick and Alioum Boukar were all replaced as deputies by Coach Martin Ndtoungou Mpile and Idris Carlos Kameni, the 2000 Olympic champion.

The most powerful position which is that of national team coordinator was given to Benoît Angbwa, while the Minister for Sport had appointed Didier Benjamin Banlock, a former associate of President Samuel Eto’o to the post. The two men have been at daggers-drawn positions ever since the Qatar FIFA World Cup.

Cameroon Concord News understands FIFA played a role in bringing together the factions by invoking the collaboration agreement between FECAFOOT and the Ministry of Sport for the management of the Indomitable Lions that has been in place for over 9 years.

FIFA reportedly insisted that articles 9 and 13 of the agreement must be respected. Article 9 stipulates that members of the Indomitable Lions’ staff are recruited either by FECAFOOT or on secondment from the State. Article 13 says that FECAFOOT and the Ministry of Sport are committed to the serene and concerted management of football in a spirit of dialogue, solidarity and patriotism.

On the basis of these two articles, FIFA invited the two parties to sit down around a table and engage in dialogue to resolve their differences, pending the revision of this disputed agreement as soon as possible.

But without any consultation, FECAFOOT appointed the Indomitable Lions staff on May 8.  The nation is now curious to know the reaction of the Minister of Sport, who declared on April 2 that he had acted on the instructions of the President of the Republic.

By Rita Akana

France striker Kylian Mbappe says he will leave Paris St-Germain at the end of the season.

Mbappe, 25, announced the decision in a video released on his social media, external accounts.

“I’ve always said that I would speak with you when the time comes,” Mbappe said.

“It’s my last year at Paris St-Germain. I will not extend and the adventure will come to an end in a few weeks.”

Mbappe’s contract with PSG expires in June and BBC Sport reported in February that he has agreed a deal to join Real Madrid in the summer.

The World Cup winner is PSG’s record goalscorer with 255 goals and will play his final home game at the Parc des Princes against Toulouse in Ligue 1 on Sunday at 20:00 BST.

After that PSG have away fixtures at Nice (15 May) and Metz (19 May) before the French Cup final against Lyon at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille on 25 May.

Paris-born Mbappe, who joined PSG from Monaco for £165.7m in August 2017, said the club helped him “grow as a player” and “grow as a man as well”.

He added: “It’s a lot of emotions, many years where I had the chance and the great honour to be a member of the biggest French club, one of the best in the world.

“It allowed me to arrive here, to have my first experience in a club with a lot of pressure, to grow as a player of course, by being alongside some of the best in history, some of the greatest champions.

“It’s hard and I never thought it would be this difficult to announce that. But I think I needed this, a new challenge, after seven years.”

Source: BBC