The Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot) has expressed its “great astonishment” over Marc Brys’ appointment as the men’s national team head coach by the country’s Sports Ministry.
Cameroon Sports Minister Narcisse Mouelle Kombi announced that 61-year-old Brys would take over as coach of the Indomitable Lions following the dismissal of Rigobert Song in February 2024.
Former Liverpool and West Ham United defender Rigobert Song’s deal wasn’t renewed after the conclusion of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2024.
Fecafoot in a statement on April 3, 2024, said they were surprised with the appointment of Brys, stating that the decision was made unilaterally.
“The Cameroon Football Federation has learned, at the same time as all Cameroonians, of the appointment to positions of responsibility within the men’s senior national selection,” read part of the statement.
“Fecafoot expresses its great astonishment at this act, which runs counter to the terms of Decree No. 2014/384 of 26 September 2014 on the organization and functioning of national football teams.”
Cameroon FA Surprised at the Appointment
Fecafoot asserts that the Sports Ministry’s actions directly contravene Decree No. 2014/384, which outlines the organization and operations of national football teams, thereby undermining the federation’s authority and processes.
“This unilateral decision comes at the very moment when Fecafoot has agreed to carry out the very high instructions of the President of the Republic by providing its frank collaboration with a view to achieving appeasement beneficial to the future of our beloved Indomitable Lions,” added the statement.
“Fecafoot intends to shed light on this regrettable situation and will communicate without delay on the reaction it intends to give.”
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The Sports Ministry said Brys would be assisted by Joachim Mununga and Giannis Xilouris but did not disclose the length of their contracts.
Additionally, former Cameroon striker Francois Omam-Biyik, who participated in three World Cups, was among the expanded technical, medical, and administrative staff appointed.
Former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Chelsea striker Samuel Eto’o has been president of Fecafoot since December 2021.
While Eto’o has tried to assert some independence, he has also had to tread carefully in a country where matters concerning the football team are of high priority for the government.
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Former Indomitable Lion’s Coach Rigobert Song
Song assumed the coaching role on a caretaker basis in April 2018.
On 17 October 2018, Fecafoot announced that Song would take control of the Cameroon under-23 team for the 2019 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations campaign.
On 28 February 2022, it was announced that Song had replaced Toni Conceicao as the manager of the senior Cameroon national team.
As the team manager, Song guided Cameroon to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, after beating Algeria in the final hurdle.
Song was the first manager to guide Cameroon to their first victory in the World Cup finals since 2002 after their victory against Brazil in the group stages.
