Former Chelsea and Barcelona Cameroon international Samuel Eto’o is set to stand as a candidate in the race for the presidency of his country’s football federation (Fecafoot). The former Inter Milan striker made the announcement on his social media pages saying he had taken the decision contest.
Samuel Eto’o Set to Contest in Cameroon’s Football Federation Election
Samuel Eto’o said out of love for Cameroon and passion for football. He will be running in the position of the presidency of his country’s football federation. He also said: “Time is running out. Waiting is not an option. It is Time to rebuild our football.”
The delayed Fecafoot elections are expected to take place on 11 December, with the Africa Cup of Nations set to start in Cameroon on 9 January. 40-year-old Eto’o had an illustrious playing career, winning domestic and European titles in England, Spain and Italy.
The four-time African player of the year is his country’s record scorer with 56 goals in 118 games. At the international level, he helped Cameroon win the Africa Cup of Nations in 2000 and 2002 and was a gold medallist at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
The announcement by him comes amid controversy in Cameroon after candidates with dual nationality had been told they could not stand in the elections.
He was granted dual Spanish nationality during his Time in Barcelona. So far, Eto’o is the third former Indomitable Lion to run as president of Cameroon’s football federation after Jules Denis Onana and Emmanuel Maboang Kessack. The candidates have until 11 October to declare their intention to run.
