The Cameroonian government and FACEFOOT president Samuel Eto’o have clashed frequently since the former striker took over the Cameroon Football Federation in 2021. Former Harambee Stars defender James Situma has urged Kenya to seize the opportunity presented by these off-field issues when they face Cameroon in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on October 11 in Yaoundé.
Situma believes the ongoing power struggles between the Cameroonian government and Eto’o could play in Kenya’s favor during the 2025 AFCON qualifier. Currently, Kenya tops Group J with four points, level with Cameroon but ahead on goal difference.
“The constant conflicts between Eto’o and the government have destabilized the team. It’s always challenging for players to perform well in a tense environment. If we can take advantage of their internal turmoil, we might secure points from the two matches,” Situma told Sportsboom.
Tensions between Eto’o and the government have disrupted the Cameroonian squad since he assumed the federation’s presidency, with disputes over team control being a primary factor. These conflicts have contributed to a downturn in Cameroon’s footballing fortunes, contrasting sharply with their past successes on the global stage.
Cameroon has won just three of their last 10 competitive matches, highlighting their recent struggles. Last month, five key players found themselves caught in a tug-of-war between the government and FACEFOOT; they were detained at Douala Airport and later redirected to a different hotel than originally planned by the federation.
“It’s well known that Eto’o has a strong rapport with the players. His influence on the team is considerable, and his absence may have repercussions, which could benefit us,” Situma added.
Following the match in Yaoundé, Kenya will host Cameroon in the return leg at the Mandela Stadium in Namboole, Uganda, four days later.
