Four-time African Footballer of the Year Samuel Eto’o has been praised for his leadership style since assuming office as the President of the Cameroonian Football Federation.
The former Cameroon striker, who lifted the Champions League with Barcelona and Inter Milan during his playing career, was elected FECAFOOT President last year.
“We have to bring footballers to the centre of our policies,” Eto’o said after he won the election in December. “It is our role to ensure that those who play this discipline make a decent living out of it.”
Eto’o had promised to forfeit his salary ss President, and that was fulfilled as his wages have been diverted towards player’s wellbeing.
As part of his policies to ensure players earn the right amounts for their work, Eto’o also advocated for high wages for players in the Cameroonian women’s football league.
Eto’o had received widespread support from many former teammates prior to his election during which he pledged to rid the game in Cameroon of corruption.
He oversaw a successful hosting of the African Cup of Nations early this year after it was stripped of the right to host the tournament in 2019 because of delays in preparation and security concerns.
The two-time AFCON winner also helped navigate his country’s successful passage to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar through the appointment of former international Rigobet Song as Head Coach.
