Karma? – Eto’o facing what he served predecessor Seidou Mbombo Njoya
The series of events rocking Samuel Eto’o’s administration at FECAFOOT, are similar to what his predecessor Seidou Mbombo Njoya faced during his mandate.
A few weeks to the FECAFOOT elections held in December 2021, Eto’o initiated several moves to have the then president suspended. He filed complaints against Seidou Mbombo Njoya, highlighting abuse of power, corruption, embezzlement and match-fixing.
The former footballer himself, has recently been under pressure to resign, with his own mandate just halfway gone. Some of his collaborators including a faction of club presidents, have been relentless in their call for his suspension, accompanied by complaints written to CAF and FIFA.
CAF reacted on Wednesday, August 9, following the reception of letters from “several Cameroonian stakeholders”. The football governing body said Eto’o is accused of “improper conduct”.
These are similar accusations Seidou Mbombo Njoya received from Eto’o two years ago.
In a letter written to the FECAFOOT Ethics Committee in November 2021, Eto’o raised concerns over multiple issues including Astres FC’s prevention from regaining its place in the Elite One in 2019, despite the validation of an appeal following the club’s relegation to the Elite Two.
He used the incident to depict what he called a “corrupt” Seidou Mbombo Njoya administration. He said Astres FC of Douala through its President, Kamdem Dieudonne, was bribed to stay in the The Elite Two after they had appealed their relegation to the inferior league and were reinstated. This is similar to Eto’o’s dealings with the President of Victoria United, Valentine Nkwain, which observers say enabled the Limbe-based club’s promotion to the Elite One.
Before his election on December 11, 2021, Eto’o had also written to the Secretary-General of FIFA Madame Fatma Samoura, raising an alert on efforts by Seidou Mbombo Njoya to tamper with the electoral process. He also wrote letters to the FIFA Ethics Committee.
The hunter has become the hunted as CAF is expected to give a verdict regarding the complaints received from some Cameroonian stakeholders against Eto’o.
