The latest meeting of the executive committee of the African Football Confederation (CAF), held last Friday in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, took a particularly tense turn, marked by heated exchanges and unprecedented confrontations. At the heart of the discussions was once again the controversial officiating of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations hosted by Morocco, and more broadly, a crisis of confidence among African football leaders.
One of the most notable moments of this tumultuous assembly was the verbal clash between Samuel Eto’o and Patrice Motsepe. Eto’o, president of the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot), did not hesitate to firmly put the CAF president in his place, causing surprise and discomfort around the table. Some observers present or close to the situation are already talking about an open confrontation rarely seen in the governing bodies of African football.
According to insights reported by journalist Romain Molina, several executive committee members openly expressed their frustration towards Patrice Motsepe, often described by his critics as a president who is too discreet, almost absent during critical moments. This perception of a “ghost president” has deeply annoyed some federation leaders, who feel that CAF lacks strong leadership in these times of crisis surrounding officiating.
In this context, Samuel Eto’o’s reaction drew all the attention. Known for his candor and strong temperament, the former captain of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon clearly expressed his frustration. Tired of being systematically sidelined or pushed to the background, he spoke passionately about what he sees as a lack of respect towards him as a federation president.
“Listen, big brother, you asked me not to say anything, to stay discreet, to behave myself. I complied with your wishes, I kept silent… but today I can’t take it anymore. I am Samuel Eto’o Fils. When I call you, we need to talk as presidents. Every time I reach out, I’m sent someone else in your place. I refuse this treatment. I believe our relationship should be direct, respectful, between two football leaders. Now it’s over.”
Eto’o’s reaction resonated with several federation presidents present, who also voiced their discontent. While some tried to ease the tensions and move on to the agenda, no one around the table seemed ready to comply immediately. The atmosphere, already electric, remained charged until the end of the meeting.
