Eto’o to decide Conceicao’s fate as Indomitable Lions Coach in 24 hours

By Tata Mbunwe

Indomitable Lions Head Coach Antonio conceicao could be losing his job days from now, as FECAFOOT President Samuel Eto’o is to decide his fate within the next 24 hours.

Eto’o was given a 72-hour deadline by the Cameroon Football Federation’s Executive Committee during the Committee’s Ordinary Session held in Limbe on February 16.

At least six people are already contesting to coach the Indomitable Lions, among them former Indomitable Lions like Patrick Mboma and Rigobert Song, reported The Guardian Post Newspaper last week.

Despite leading the Indomitable Lions to a not-too-bad third position in the just ended Africa Cup of Nations, Antonio Conceicao has been criticized for not taking the Lions to the finals after the Lions’ 3-1 semi-final defeat by Egypt.

Some Indomitable Lions fans also blamed him for the choice of players used in the AFCON third-position game against Burkina Faso, where Cameroon narrowly won 3-1 in a penalty shootout.

However, Cameroon’s sports authorities have not publicly revealed any intention to replace Conceicao as Indomitable Lions Head Coach.

Less than two weeks ago, media sources reported that his two-year contract with the Indomitable Lions had been extended to 2024, giving him a chance for the 2022 Quatar World Cup and the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

Antonio Coceicao has coached the Indomitable Lions in 23 games since his contract was signed, during which the Lions recorded 14 wins, six draws and three defeats, giving him a 61 percent success rate as coach.

He led Cameroon through seven games at the Totalenergies Africa Cup of Nations, recording five wins, a draw and a defeat.

Conceicao has also led the Indomitable Lions in six AFCON qualifier matches, six World Cup qualifiers and four international friendlies.

In prelude to the 2022 Qatar World Cup holding from November 21 – December 18, Cameroon is set to play Algeria in the last round of the qualifiers on March 26 and 29 respectively.