free header

Cameroon: How Samuel Eto’o conquered Fecafoot

By Jeune Afrique

Reserved for subscribers

Posted on December 21, 2021 08:55

Firefox_Screenshot_2021-12-20T11-08-33.180Z Samuel Eto’o was elected head of Fecafoot on 11 December. © Maboup — Samuel Eto’o was elected head of Fecafoot on 11 December. © Maboup

Former international football player Samuel Eto’o has done everything in his power to thwart his powerful rivals’ manoeuvres, including running communication campaigns, lobbying and political negotiations.

At first, it was mission impossible.

In the race to become president of Fecafoot, Samuel Eto’o was up against Fifa, which is increasingly scrutinising the heads of national federations. Gianni Infantino, Fifa’s Italian-Swiss boss, would like the World Cup to be held every two years, whereas South Africa’s Patrice Motsepe, his ally at CAF, wants the African Cup of Nations to take place every four years.

There's more to this story

Get unlimited access to our exclusive journalism and features today. Our award-winning team of correspondents and editors report from over 54 African countries, from Cape Town to Cairo, from Abidjan to Abuja to Addis Ababa. Africa. Unlocked.

Subscribe Now

cancel anytime

Already a a subscriber Sign In

More Politics

© South African President Cyril Ramaphosaat the Union Buildings in Pretoria on February 28, 2023. (Photo by GUILLEM SARTORIO / AFP)

saving face

South Africa’s Russia-Ukraine peace plan – genius or joke? South Africa, in league with several African nations, says it’s finalising a peace mission to help end the war between Russia and Ukraine.

© Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (l) walks alongside Sudanese Army Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan (C) at Khartoum Airport during a welcome ceremony on January 26, 2023. (Photo by – / AFP)

BALANCING ACT

Why Ethiopia’s Abiy opts for neutrality in Sudan’s war of the generals Just five days after Sudan’s rival generals started their war on 15 April, Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed dismissed what he called “false allega...

© An armoured Minusma vehicle on patrol in Timbuktu, 9 December 2021. FLORENT VERGNES/AFP

creating tension

After Moura report, Malian government accuses UN of ‘espionage’ In a statement issued on 13 May, the Malian transitional authorities announced the opening of a judicial investigation into “attacks upon the external...

© Artist Lynette Yiadom-Boakye at the Visual Art Awards, London, 2016. John Phillips/Getty Images via AFP

Gifted & Black

Ghana-UK: Lynette Yiadom-Boakye’s figurative Black portraiture After showing at the Tate, this painter is being welcomed by the Guggenheim, where 70 of her works are showcased.