Cancelled press conference, venue row, bus 'swindle'… a tense week in Cameroon

One day follows another, and each looks much like the last, in Cameroonian football circles. Amid decisions and counter-decisions, threats, intrigue and tug-of-war, Fecafoot and its supervising body, the Ministry of Sports, continue to slug it out over the tensions between them. And as is customary ahead of each gathering of the senior national team, the week now ending has had its share of controversy. The latest episode was the press conference scheduled for Friday at Fecafoot headquarters, which national team coach Marc Brys ended up boycotting.

When Brys boycotts his own press conference

The press conference of Cameroon national football team coach Marc Brys was cancelled at the last minute, causing confusion and disappointment among journalists and supporters. It was due to discuss the team's preparation and the list of players called up for the upcoming matches, but did not take place because of an unforeseen impediment on Brys's part, according to the Cameroonian Football Federation.

However, according to inside reports, there were misunderstandings over the time and arrangements for the conference. Marc Brys did go to the governing body's headquarters early in the day (9 am GMT), but had to leave "because of a lack of preparation on the part of the Federation", so it is understood. The conference was rescheduled for midday, but Brys turned up two hours later before leaving the premises for good without meeting the media representatives who were waiting for him in the press room.

Read also: Marc Brys: "I am not Fecafoot's enemy"

Fecafoot accused of "bus swindling"

Meanwhile, on the same day, Fecafoot was caught up in another controversy, with the transport company Trans Universel Voyages (TUV). TUV accuses the Federation of holding on to a bus without authorisation or payment, one it has been using for more than a year to transport players and for other activities. The bus, a Volvo Paradisco 1200, has remained in Fecafoot's possession despite TUV's repeated requests for its return or for compensation. "Trans Universel Voyages considers, first of all, that it is the victim of a swindle involving its bus", the company's boss said in a statement. It is seeking "the return of its wrongfully retained bus".

Ongoing disagreements over the choice of stadium

This series of events comes against a backdrop of differences between Fecafoot and the Ministry of Sports over the choice of stadium to host the Cameroon-Namibia match, scheduled for 7 September 2024. Fecafoot, led by Samuel Eto'o, has chosen the Roumdé Adja stadium in Garoua, citing more favourable weather conditions and the backing of the CAF (Confederation of African Football) and the Namibian Football Association.

On the other side, the Ministry of Sports, represented by Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, prefers the Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium in Yaoundé, highlighting the functionality of the facilities and the importance of minimising the financial and logistical impact on the State. The disagreements have drawn sharp criticism and left supporters of the Indomitable Lions confused, split between the differing positions.

Some feel the lack of consensus among the sporting authorities reflects a deeper problem of management and communication. The debate remains heated, and fans hope for a return to normality so the team can focus fully on its performance in this crucial match in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.