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.
The 61-year-old Belgian, who previously managed OH Leuven, has been selected to succeed the former Liverpool and West Ham United defender Rigobert Song, whose deal wasn’t renewed following the conclusion of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
However, Fecafoot said they were surprised at the appointment of Brys, stating that the decision was made unilaterally.
A statement read: “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.
“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 organisation and functioning of national football teams.
“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.
“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 announced that Brys would receive assistance from Joachim Mununga and Giannis Xilouris, although the duration of their contracts was not disclosed. Additionally, the former Cameroon striker Francois Omam-Biyik, who participated in three World Cups, was among the expanded technical, medical, and administrative staff appointed.
Samuel Eto’o, the former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Chelsea forward, has been the president of Fecafoot since 2021.
The 43-year-old is currently being investigated by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) regarding wide-ranging accusations, including that he and close aides were involved in match-fixing, abuse of power, physical threats, inciting violence and spreading false information in Cameroon. Eto’o has previously denied those claims.
Song, meanwhile, first took charge of Cameroon in 2022 and recently led them to the last 16 at AFCON, eventually being knocked out of the competition by eventual finalists Nigeria.
Following his retirement in 2010, Song managed Cameroon’s Under-23s from 2018 to 2022, before succeeding Toni Conceicao as the men’s national team head coach.
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(BRUNO FAHY/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)
