YAOUNDÉ, Cameroon — Former Cameroonian football star and current president of the Cameroonian Football Federation, Fecafoot, Samuel Eto’o, is preparing to run for the presidency of the Confederation of African Football, CAF, in the upcoming elections slated for March 25, 2025.
While Eto’o has yet to make an official declaration, strong indications suggest that the football legend is poised to enter the race, sources close to the former player revealed.
Eto’o’s preparations for the campaign have reportedly included seeking advice from former CAF president Ahmad Ahmad.
The former leader was in charge of CAF before current president Patrice Motsepe assumed office after an unopposed election in 2021.
Motsepe is also expected to run for a second term, setting up what could become a high-stakes contest between two prominent figures in African football.
In addition to his CAF ambitions, Eto’o is reportedly grooming his close advisor, Mongue Nyamsi, as a successor to his current position at Fecafoot, over the federation’s first vice president, Celine Eko.
Sources close to Eto’o’s camp suggest that Nyamsi is being positioned to take over should Eto’o step down to focus on his CAF candidacy.
However, the anticipated candidacy is not without controversy.
Some football stakeholders have expressed concerns about Eto’o’s eligibility for the role, pointing to recent controversies surrounding his leadership at Fecafoot.
The former player has faced criticism for what some have described as an overbearing leadership style and an intolerance for dissent within the organization.
More notably, Eto’o was fined by CAF in recent months for ethics breaches, a development that could cast a shadow over his bid for the presidency. Critics argue that such controversies could complicate his path to CAF’s top position.
Eto’o’s potential candidacy for CAF’s presidency represents the latest chapter in a football career that has spanned more than two decades and earned him recognition as one of Africa’s greatest players.
His rise to prominence began in his hometown of Nkongsamba, where his talent for football became apparent at a young age.
After honing his skills at Kadji Sports Academy, Eto’o caught the attention of scouts and eventually joined Real Madrid’s youth team, marking the start of a journey that would see him achieve success at some of Europe’s top football clubs.
Eto’o’s playing career included stints at Barcelona, Inter Milan, Chelsea, and Everton, during which he won multiple titles, including two UEFA Champions League trophies.
Known for his goal-scoring prowess, Eto’o retired from football with more than 350 goals to his name, solidifying his status as one of the most prolific strikers in the history of the sport.
Off the pitch, Eto’o has also made significant contributions to African football. He has long been a vocal advocate for improving infrastructure and training programs across the continent.
His charitable foundation, the Samuel Eto’o Foundation, has provided education and healthcare to underprivileged children, further enhancing his reputation as a philanthropist.
Since retiring from professional football in 2019, Eto’o has remained a central figure in the sport, particularly through his leadership at Fecafoot, where he was elected president in 2021.
Under his stewardship, Eto’o has focused on revitalizing Cameroonian football, with the aim of creating opportunities for future generations of players.
As the CAF elections draw closer, all eyes will be on Eto’o as he weighs his decision to officially enter the race.
Should he do so, his candidacy is expected to significantly shake up the African football landscape, potentially ushering in a new era of leadership for the continent’s governing body.
