Just weeks away from the crucial June 2024 matches for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Belgian coach Marc Brys is still unrecognized by the FECAFOOT.
Nominated to succeed Rigobert Song as the head coach of the Indomitable Lions, Marc Brys finds himself at the center of a conflict between the Ministry of Sports and the Cameroonian Football Federation. The Belgian coach was chosen weeks ago to become the new Cameroon national team coach. However, FECAFOOT seemed unaware of the appointment of the former Louvain coach.
“The Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT) learned, at the same time as all Cameroonians, about the appointment to positions of responsibility within the Senior Men’s National Football Team,” it explained in a statement. “FECAFOOT expresses its great surprise at this act which goes against the terms of Decree No. 2014/384 of July 26, 2014, on the organization and functioning of national football teams.”
The 61-year-old coach was appointed by the Ministry of Sports and finds himself in the midst of a power struggle between the government and the federation. It’s clear that Marc Brys did not have the favor of FECAFOOT. Shortly after taking office, the new coach of the Cameroon national football team embarked on a European tour.
During the tour, he met with numerous Cameroonian international players. Indeed, the new coach of the Indomitable Lions has just completed his European tour and will have to prepare his very first squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Marc Brys, who has asked the Minister of Sports to calm the tension between the Ministry and FECAFOOT, wishes to have a friendly working environment and does not want to have the federation and Samuel Eto’o against him. The Belgian coach is expected to reside in Cameroon according to our colleagues at kick442.
Indeed, determined to secure the job of head coach, Marc Brys is trying to provide all possible assurances. And perhaps advised by the Minister of Sports, he would be willing to live in Yaoundé during his tenure. He will not behave like other Europeans who refuse to live in Africa on the grounds that most of their players play in Europe. It remains to be seen if this will be acceptable to Samuel Eto’o and convince him to sign the contract, which he refuses to do at the moment.
“The former Pichichi of La Liga is not one to accept compromises. And it is clear that he does not seem inclined to trust a coach he did not choose himself. Given Marc Brys’ limited pedigree, it is possible that Samuel Eto’o is not convinced of his competence and abilities to lead the Cameroon national team. The uncertainty about the future of the Belgian technician raises many questions and uncertainties. It remains to be seen how this situation will evolve and what impact it will have on the short-term future of the Indomitable Lions,” reads our colleagues at Camfoot.
Only a few weeks remain before the list of players called up for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers matches is unveiled. Cameroonians are still not reassured about the identity of their next national team coach.
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