Samuel Eto’o wins a legal battle to re-enter CAF’s elections, sparking controversy over governance, ethics, and political maneuvering in African football.
Cameroonian Football Federation president Samuel Eto’o has won a significant legal battle overturning his exclusion from running for a position on the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) executive committee.
The decision, handed down by the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), allows the legendary former striker to contest the elections set to take place in Cairo next Wednesday.
Eto’o, a four-time African Footballer of the Year, had been disqualified by CAF’s governance committee due to ethical concerns, including his past partnership with betting company 1xBet and a prior tax fraud conviction in Spain.
Manchester United players congratulated Benni McCarthy on his appointment as Harambee Stars head coach.
However, his appeal to CAS successfully overturned the ruling, reigniting political tensions within African football’s governing body.
“The CAS panel considered that it was presented sufficient information to overturn the CAF executive committee’s decision concerning Mr Eto’o’s ineligibility,” CAS stated.
“It will be for the CAF extraordinary general assembly meeting on 12 March 2025 to make its own evaluation of the candidates.”
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Gor Mahia head coach Sinisa Mihic has welcomed the return of striker Benson Omala as his main strikers continue to fire blanks.
Eto’o, who has led Cameroon’s football federation (FECAFOOT) since 2021, has been a divisive figure in the sport’s administration.
Despite his global stature, his tenure has been marred by controversy, including a six-month FIFA ban last year for “offensive behavior and violations of the principles of fair play.”
In July 2023, CAF also fined him $200,000 for alleged ethical violations, though the penalty was later overturned on appeal.
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Ingavi, who is expected to be part of the side that will represent Kenya at the U-20 AFCON in Ivory Coast next April, has signed his first professional contract in the United States.
His reinstatement into the CAF elections has raised eyebrows, as many see his exclusion as a politically motivated move.
Critics argue that CAF’s leadership has been strategically sidelining influential figures ahead of the elections, while others believe the scrutiny is a much-needed effort to enforce ethical standards.
Eto’o’s presence in the race is expected to shake up the election process, where current CAF president Patrice Motsepe is running unopposed for a second term.
The South African billionaire enjoys widespread support among the 54-member federations, but the return of a high-profile figure like Eto’o could disrupt existing alliances within CAF’s leadership.
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Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has joined the list of highest paid Africa national team coaches but he still does not compare to many others on the continent.
Adding to the political drama, the fallout between Eto’o and former FECAFOOT president Seidou Mbombo Njoya has further complicated the landscape.
Njoya, once a powerful figure in African football governance, was unable to secure an endorsement from Cameroon’s federation, effectively ending his CAF Vice Presidency aspirations.
Similarly, in Botswana, Maclean Letshwiti suffered a comparable fate, raising speculation that CAF’s governance committee is selectively enforcing eligibility criteria.
Eto’o’s candidacy could reshape the balance of power in African football administration, particularly with FIFA president Gianni Infantino attending the elections.
His influence and connections in global football make him a formidable candidate, but questions remain over whether he can overcome the resistance from CAF’s inner circle.
