CAF: Samuel Eto’o's election to executive committee divides Cameroon

He's done it! Since 12 March 2025, Samuel Eto’o has officially made history in African football by becoming the first former player to sit on the Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). His election by acclamation in Cairo, Egypt, brings to an end a long-running legal saga that has gripped the football world. However, while his supporters hail the victory as a major step forward for the governance of African football, it has also drawn fierce criticism in Cameroon, where divisions over his running of Fécafoot continue to deepen.

A rise welcomed by his supporters

Samuel Eto’o's backers see the election as recognition of his commitment to African football. "Congratulations to Samuel Eto’o on joining the CAF Comex! Your commitment and your vision for African football are an inspiration. This new role is a chance to defend the continent's interests with passion and determination. Africa is proud of you! Best of luck and every success in this mission ", enthused one fan on Facebook.

"This election by acclamation shows his weight and growing influence within the governing bodies. It is a major step forward for the representation of former footballers in decision-making circles ", added one sports analyst. Others point out that "it is proof that his fight for better management of football is bearing fruit. He brings front-line expertise that CAF had been lacking until now ".

Fierce criticism of Eto’o

His detractors, meanwhile, play down the significance of the win. "From dreaming of the CAF presidency to the meagre status of Comex member: what a ridiculous fall from grace ", scoffed one opponent. The same opponent said they were "very impressed and amused by the ability of Eto’o's worshippers to make great what we find very small for the man we had tipped to head CAF and then FIFA ". A former Cameroonian football official goes further: "His recent record is marked by controversies, conflicts and contentious decisions. He is far from embodying the stability and unity that CAF needs ".

Samuel Eto’o's election comes amid tensions over his running of Fécafoot. Accused of abuse of power and criticised for his often controversial decisions, he remains a polarising figure. Some figures in Cameroonian football are even considering challenging his election before CAF. In their view, the election could deepen divisions within Cameroonian and African football.

A turning point for the governance of African football?

For now, the debate is raging in the streets of Yaoundé and Douala around one key question: can a former player really influence CAF's strategic decisions? Samuel Eto’o's supporters believe his experience on the pitch will bring a breath of fresh air: "it is a chance to modernise CAF and bring more former players into the governance of football". His detractors, meanwhile, see a win for image with no real impact. "He now needs to show he is capable of going beyond symbols and having a concrete effect on the management of African football", said one sports journalist.

Yet Samuel Eto’o could have missed his date with history. In January, CAF initially rejected his candidacy. The body's Governance Committee accused him of "serious violations of ethical principles" linked to his association with the betting operator 1xBet. Although CAF's Appeal Board overturned that sanction, Eto’o remained barred from the race. Regarding the exclusion as arbitrary and unjustified, the Fécafoot president took the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on 5 February 2025 to challenge the decision and demand his reinstatement.

On 7 March 2025, the Zurich-based body, in Switzerland, ruled in his favour. CAS found the CAF decision to be unlawful and ordered the immediate inclusion of his candidacy. As a result, CAF was forced to add him to the list of candidates for the 12 March vote. With no other candidates standing for Uniffac, Eto’o was ultimately elected by acclamation. On top of this legal victory, CAS ordered CAF to pay the full arbitration costs and to compensate Eto’o and Fécafoot for the costs incurred in the proceedings.

Arthur Wandji