Cameroon reinstate Brys as boss as Eto’o apologises

BBC | Marc Brys has been reinstated as coach of Cameroon after Samuel Eto’o, the president of the country’s football federation (Fecafoot), apologised for a row which led to the Belgian being replaced just two days ago.

Fecafoot put Martin Ndtoungou in interim charge of the Indomitable Lions on Tuesday night after Eto’o and Brys were involved in a heated exchange earlier that day when they met for the first time.

Brys had been appointed by Cameroon’s sports ministry in April but Fecafoot expressed its “great astonishment” at the move and said the decision had been “taken unilaterally”.

Eto’o confirmed the 62-year-old would remain in his position during a news conference on Thursday, with 2026 World Cup qualifiers on the horizon in early June.

“I apologise because during our first unfortunate meeting, there was a lot of emotion,” former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Chelsea striker Eto’o said.

“The Cameroonian people are more important than us, and it is for them that we must work.”

Eto’o and Brys met at Fecafoot’s offices in Yaounde on Tuesday but videos on social media showed a fiery conversation between the pair before the Belgian swiftly left.

Eto’o, 43, has been president of Fecafoot since December 2021 and was also shown having a row with an official from the sports ministry.

A statement by the governing body cited “disrespectful comments” by Brys and “an outright refusal to collaborate” among several reasons for replacing the Belgian.

It said that Ndtoungou would name a squad for World Cup qualifiers against Cape Verde and Angola on 8 and 11 June respectively – but it now appears that Brys will issue the call-ups instead.

“Your mission is not an easy one despite your qualities and experience, but you should know that you will have our support,” Eto’o added.

Brys now looks set to take charge of his first international games after the latest development in the power struggle between Cameroon’s sports ministry and Fecafoot.

The Central Africans are top of qualifying Group D with four points from two games, with the group winners assured of a place at the finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

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4 comments

  1. ….and the jokes continue on the global stage. What buffoonery, at this point Eto’o might as well resign. What a clown. After acting like a tough guy, he folded like cheap toilet paper. This is not leadership, weak sauce.

  2. Eto’o why backing off now? I thought you were the only serious man to bring change in FECAFOOT. Are you really serious about managing FECAFOOT with all the noises and promises you have made? Why this show ?

    • It seems unfair and irresponsible to criticize Et’o’o. Although I do not live in Cameroon, from what I read, Samuel Eto’o is actually the only one who has stood against the corrupted forces of the ministry of sports. They have used intimidating and humiliating tactics in attempt to have it their way.

      Eto’o’s softened stance is good for Cameroon football. It shouldn’t be construed as weakness.

      In reality, it’s Marc Brys who owes an apology to Eto’o and the Csmeroon people. Paul Biya should fire Ekombi. He’s further dragged Cameroon already damaged reputation in the mud.

  3. It amazes me that CPDM people are positioning them selves and the poor Cameroonians are taking interest.