Barcelona Legend Samuel Eto'o Announces Plans to Run For FA President in His Country

Barcelona Legend Samuel Eto'o Announces Plans to Run For FA President in His Country

Nomso Obiajuru, Babajide Orevba
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:49 PM
  • Samuel Eto’o is Cameroon’s leading goal scorer with 56 goals and now the football legend wants a leadership role in his country
  • The 40-year old has announced that he would be vying for the presidency of Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT).
  • Eto'o is set to come up against incumbent Seidou Mbombo Njoya for the position but he will be optimistic about grabbing the position

Former Barcelona and Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto’o has announced plans to vie for the presidency of Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT).

Samuel Eto’o
Eto’o is Cameroon’s leading goal scorer with 56 goals. Photo by BERTRAND GUAY/AFP.
Source: UGC

Eto’o made the announcement on his social media handles on Tuesday, September 21, saying he made the decision out of “his love for Cameroon and passion for the country’s football”

"I am honoured and pleased to announce my candidacy for the presidency of the Cameroon Football Federation. After careful consideration, I have decided to take this initiative out of love for Cameroon and passion for our football," Eto’o said in his statement.

The four-time winner of African Player further pledged to introduce radical changes in Cameroon football, including an innovative project that would see the revival of the country's local championships, beach football, and women's football.

The delayed Fecafoot elections will take place on December 11, although Fecafoot are yet to announce when they will release the final list of candidates who will vie for the seat.

Eto’o is however expected to come up against fellow Cameroonian football legend Geremi Njitap who is known for his spell as a Real Madrid midfielder.

Incumbent president Seidou Mbombo Njoya is also expected to be in the ballot.

Controversy over eligibility

Eto’o’s announcement comes amid controversy over whether candidates with dual citizenship should be allowed to vie for the seat.

As BBC reports, Eto’o, 40, was granted dual Spanish nationality thanks to his time at Barcelona.

As a player, the Cameroon international is considered one of the best exports from Africa as far as football is concerned.

He has won domestic and European titles in both Spain and Italy and is Cameroon’s record scorer with 56 goals in 118 games.

He also has a unique record as a footballer as he is the only player in history to win a treble comprising the League title, Champions League and League cup back to back in two diiferent leagues.

Didier Drogba's resigns as AFI vice-president

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Chelsea legend Didier Drogba recently resigned from his position as vice-president of his country’s Footballers Association (AFI).

Drogba did not mince his words in a letter to the Ivory Coast Footballers Association (AFI) posted on social media that he will no more be their vice-president.

The Chelsea legend claims that there has been lack of co-operation among his former international teammates who are part and parcel of the association.

The former Elephants captain has not been in good terms with the AFI after they refused to support him to become president of the Ivorian Football Federation last year.

However, the International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPro) have sided Drogba in his dispute with the AFI and they have been placed under indefinite suspension.

Authors
Nomso Obiajuru photo
Nomso Obiajuru
Team Lead- Football
Babajide Orevba photo
Babajide Orevba
Babajide Orevba is a CAF accredited Nigerian journalist and HOD of the Local Desk with over 10 years of experience in media landscape.He studied NCE Political Science/Social Studies, AOCOED.
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