“Samuel Eto’o’s resistance to the prevailing order is admirable”.

The courage of Samuel Eto’o, the president of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT), in facing the established order has impressed many.

More than a month after the sports ministry appointed Marc Brys as the head coach of the Cameroon national team, FECAFOOT is finally turning the page. Outraged by the choice of the 61-year-old Belgian technician, whom he did not select and propose, Samuel Eto’o has been in a fierce battle with the sports minister, who claimed the right to appoint Rigobert Song’s successor following the fiasco at CAN 2023.

Indeed, this Wednesday evening, the Cameroon Football Federation, led by Samuel Eto’o, published a note from the emergency Executive Committee meeting held via videoconference. In this document, the FECAFOOT executive proceeded to appoint a new technical staff for the Indomitable Lions. It restructured the staff as named by the Minister of Sports but retained Marc Brys and his two foreign assistants. This brave decision has been praised by many observers, including RFI’s correspondent in Cameroon, Polycarpe Essomba, who spoke of Samuel Eto’o’s resistance to the prevailing order.

“Whatever one says, this guy is still gutsy. I can’t predict the end of the game, but such resistance against the prevailing order is admirable. Your fight, Samuel, also helps to crack this armor which proves not so invincible,” said Polycarpe Essomba.

Samuel Eto’o’s choice to take the reins of the national team and to form his own staff speaks volumes about his commitment to restoring the grandeur of Cameroonian football. Ultimately, Samuel Eto’o’s courageous and determined attitude against the prevailing order is a lesson for all, reminding us that sometimes, it is necessary to stand up against established conventions to defend what one believes in.