It is a real revolution that took place on Saturday, December 11, 2021 in Cameroonian football. For the second time since 1992, a former footballer has been elected president of Fécafoot. Samuel Eto'o beat the one he helped to elect in 2018, Seidou Mbombo Njoya. The former number 9 of the Indomitable Lions obtained a score of 43 votes against 31.
For the 18th boss of Cameroonian football, there is no doubt: this day will remain engraved in his memory. "I will remember today (Saturday, editor's note) as one of the proudest moments of my life. I am deeply grateful to have been elected the new president of Fecafoot. Every vote represents the energy and ambition of our football family to bring our beloved sport to a level we have never seen before," Samuel Eto'o said on Twitter.
His opponent accepted his defeat, sportingly. "I congratulate Samuel Eto'o and wish him every success," said Seidou Mbombo Njoya. The 60-year-old, who is currently the fourth vice-president of CAF, called on the "actors of football" and the "staff" of Fécafoot to "bring to the new team chosen by the General Assembly, the useful assistance so that the flag of our country flies higher".
It is now time to get down to work. Samuel Eto'o has come a long way. The four-time African best player winner has had to rely on significant support to emerge victorious from this election. And as one can guess, many of these supporters are certainly waiting to be rewarded with positions. The most urgent question, however, is how he will implement his campaign promises.
Samuel Eto'o's projects
The former Barcelona and Inter Milan striker has announced 5 major projects for Fecafoot. The first is to "restructure the federal administration" through improved governance. This includes the implementation of a new organizational chart and the finalization of the process of bringing Fécafoot's human resources into line. And the adoption of a code of conduct for members of the Executive Committee and presidents of decentralized leagues.
The second project aims at developing the practice of football. Eto'o announced for example the organization of a national youth championship and specific competitions throughout the country. He also intends to reform professional football by making competitions more attractive and by restructuring the various leagues.
As for the third project, it revolves around two main axes. Firstly, mobilizing the players. It must be said that Samuel Eto'o started this during his campaign. He gathered around him former teammates, the authorities in charge of sport and businessmen. The other axis is the rehabilitation of infrastructure belonging to the Fécafoot. The newly elected also promises the development of three regional technical centers and the construction of 40 municipal stadiums (4 per region) by 2030.
The native of Nkon has made the improvement of the communication of Fecafoot his fourth project. And for this, "a change of paradigm is necessary," he said. This includes the establishment of an intranet for Fecafoot and its leagues, the animation of a quality website on the activities of Fecafoot, the launch of a media channel dedicated to the sports press etc..
Finally, Samuel Eto'o wants to put an end to the flight of talent. He announced the establishment of a strategy of detection and prospecting of bi-national players in relation to the National Technical Directorate "which will also be reorganized," he said. Let's get to work!
