A publication by the president of the Cameroonian Football Federation further rekindles the distant quarrel opposing him to the vice-rector of the University of Yaoundé II.
Between Samuel Eto’o, president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot), and Prof. Mathias Eric Owona Nguini, vice-rector at the University of Yaoundé II, reconciliation is far off. The two well-known public figures exchange insults via social networks and media.
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On August 18, 2026, the day after the Indomitable Lionesses returned to Cameroon following their continental victory in Morocco, Samuel Eto’o made a post in which he speaks of a “certain intellectual who has been making great efforts lately to expose to everyone the limits of his thinking.” Without naming him, the former Cameroonian international mentions later in his text that he “apparently wishes to debate with me. But that will not happen.” As reasons for this impossibility, the sports leader cites the difference in “level of responsibilities” and “register.”
In response to this statement from the former captain of the Indomitable Lions, the academic first questions the debate the sports leader refers to. The university lecturer wonders if “the semi-illiterate” says he wants to debate with him. “That shows his mental shallowness!!!” exclaims the political scientist, who adds, “He doesn’t even have the minimal basics of a debater: elementary mastery of argumentation and expression!!!”
Regularly appearing on television shows, Prof. Mathias Eric Owona Nguini has been harsh towards Samuel Eto’o for some time. Questioning the federation’s governance, the intellectual criticized the national teams’ performances in international competitions, pointing the finger at Samuel Eto’o’s presence.
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In his various statements on this subject, the analyst keeps explaining that since the former footballer became captain of the Lions in 2009, the national team has not produced good results. According to him, the four-time African Ballon d’Or “is at the heart of the problem” of Cameroonian football. “Cameroonians can be sure that as long as this leader remains at the head of the Cameroonian Football Federation, there will be nothing more. There will be no more results,” he insists on several television channels.
The victory over Malawi by the Indomitable Lionesses in the final of the Women’s African Cup of Nations last Sunday contradicts the professor’s statements. And the former footballer takes the opportunity to celebrate the trophy as well as respond to his detractors. Despite all the criticism and attacks, “I continue to devote my energy to what really matters: building, serving, and passing on,” declares Eto’o Jr.
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