Despite opposition from FECAFOOT led by Samuel Eto’o, Marc Brys, the new head coach of the Cameroon national football team, is already hard at work.
Ahead of his first two tests with the Lions Indomptables in June, the Belgian coach, known for his strict adherence to rules, spoke candidly in an interview with Le Monde, warning against certain common practices within the team.
Amidst the general chaos surrounding his abrupt arrival with the Lions Indomptables in early April, Marc Brys has taken charge. At 61 years old, hailing from Antwerp, Belgium, he wasted no time in getting started. Following a contract signing ceremony at the Ministry of Sports with Mouelle Kombi Narcisse, and notably without Samuel Eto’o, the president of FECAFOOT who has yet to officially recognize him, the former coach of OHL Louvain (2020-2023) embarked on a European tour to meet Cameroonian players who could be called up as early as June for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Brys’s firm warning regarding the locker room
While awaiting his first official squad announcement with the Lions Indomptables, Marc Brys granted an interview to the French newspaper Le Monde. Reflecting on his tumultuous arrival with the Cameroonian team, the Flemish coach touched on several sensitive topics. Among these, he emphasized his nonexistent relationship with Samuel Eto’o, the head of the Cameroonian Football Federation. Brys indicated that he won’t chase after those who don’t yet accept him as Cameroon’s coach and firmly stated that he does not want officials in his locker room.
“I am open to discussion, listening, positive, but the locker room is the domain of the coach, his technical staff, and the players, into which neither the Ministry of Sports nor FECAFOOT should enter,” Brys asserted firmly. This is a clear warning to Samuel Eto’o, who has frequently intervened in the players’ locker room in recent months, as reported by several sources close to the national team.
Eto’o in Brys’s crosshairs?
During the last Africa Cup of Nations held in Ivory Coast, the president of FECAFOOT was heavily criticized for his repeated visits to the players. According to several revelations, Samuel Eto’o even played the role of coach on the eve of certain matches, notably against Gambia, where he allegedly conducted the video session. These revelations were shocking, as a Federation president is not a seasoned technician authorized to direct anything within a team.
In any case, Marc Brys has spoken; he no longer wants authorities in the national team’s locker rooms. This should theoretically be a good thing for players who should face less pressure. According to a former Belgian international also cited by Le Monde, the new head coach of the Lions Indomptables is a strong personality who doesn’t succumb to pressure.
“He has a strong character and doesn’t allow any intrusion into his choices, whether it’s about players or the playing system. Brys is very friendly, composed, but he has a strong character and doesn’t let himself be influenced,” said Nordin Jbari, a former Belgian international from the 1996 era, of Moroccan origin, who now works as a consultant for several local media outlets in Belgium.
We’ll see in about two weeks when the first squad list for the Lions Indomptables is announced, following the debacle of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, whether the new coach’s personality will be evident in his strong choices. To recap, Cameroon will have a tough task in their next two matches for the 2023 World Cup qualifiers. Leading Group D with 4 points alongside Cape Verde, they will need to secure a victory against the Blue Sharks to solidify their first-place position before facing a perilous away match in Angola.
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