A Complete Breakdown of the FECAFOOT-Minsep Crisis
As Cameroon prepares for their crucial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifier match against Namibia, internal disputes and mismanagement have thrown the national team’s camp into chaos. The turmoil between the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) and the Ministry of Sports (Minsep) is at the heart of this disruption, impacting both players and preparations. Here’s a complete breakdown of what has transpired.
The Power Struggle: FECAFOOT vs Minsep
The ongoing feud between Samuel Eto’o, president of FECAFOOT, and the Ministry of Sports, headed by Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, has deeply affected the organization of the national team. At the center of the conflict is the question of authority over decision-making, particularly in appointing the technical staff, including the head coach.
Eto’o has been adamant that FECAFOOT should have full control over the team, which aligns with FIFA’s rules, discouraging government interference. The Ministry of Sports, however, disagrees and has tried to influence key appointments. This ongoing disagreement escalated as both sides struggled for power just days before Cameroon’s match against Namibia.
As the Cameroon national team prepared to enter camp in Douala, there was a noticeable absence of senior players. Reports indicated that many of the players had not reported to camp as scheduled, and the senior team was still in Yaoundé, leading to a scramble to get them to Douala.
This delay forced FECAFOOT to take drastic measures to ensure that the national team would have enough players ready to face Namibia. In a bold move, Eto’o called up the U20 team, which had been training at the CAF Centre of Excellence in Mbankomo, to step in and fill the gap while waiting for the senior players.
With preparations thrown off course, FECAFOOT issued a public statement expressing their frustration. The statement highlighted how individuals had deliberately disrupted the team’s preparation:
“Some unfortunate dysfunctions are disrupting the preparation of the Senior National Team… Individuals with malicious intentions have tarnished the image of our country”
FECAFOOT also warned that any player who failed to report to the Douala camp would face serious consequences. The federation urged the 24 selected players to arrive no later than September 4th to avoid any disciplinary actions.
With the senior players delayed, the U20 squad was called upon to train and stand in for the national team. While this is not a typical move, it underscores the severity of the situation. The U20 players were moved to Douala, where they were accommodated at the La Falaise Hotel, the same venue initially planned for the senior team.
Though the U20 team has been in training, stepping in for senior international players is a monumental task, especially with such short notice. However, their readiness demonstrated Eto’o’s commitment to ensuring that Cameroon would field a team no matter the challenges.
The Minister’s Stance
While FECAFOOT publicly condemned what they saw as interference and sabotage, Minsep has held firm. Minister Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, on several occasions, defended the ministry’s role in supervising sports in the country and reiterated the importance of adhering to national regulations. Although his statements were more measured, it is clear that both parties are at odds about how Cameroon’s football should be managed.
To complicate matters further, FIFA, the international governing body for football, has taken an interest in the situation. FIFA has warned against governmental interference in football matters, which seems to support FECAFOOT’s position. They stressed that national football federations must maintain their autonomy, and any interference could result in sanctions against Cameroon.
With the match against Namibia fast approaching, the situation remains tense. FECAFOOT continues to push forward with preparations, while the senior players are gradually joining the camp in Douala. The U20 team remains on standby, ready to support the senior team as needed.
As both FECAFOOT and the Ministry of Sports continue to clash over their respective roles, it is clear that Cameroon’s football administration is in a precarious state. This internal discord threatens to overshadow the national team’s performance in the upcoming AFCON qualifiers, raising concerns about the future stability of Cameroonian football. For now, all eyes are on the team as they prepare to face Namibia on September 7th, with hopes that the Indomitable Lions can put aside these distractions and secure a win.
This episode reflects the larger issues plaguing Cameroon’s football administration, where a lack of coordination and unresolved power struggles could seriously affect the nation’s football ambitions. With FIFA’s backing, Eto’o appears to have the upper hand, but the tension between FECAFOOT and Minsep shows no signs of easing any time soon.
