Jeune Afrique hints, Biya regime suspicious Eto’o eyeing Etoudi

By Tata Mbunwe

Pan-African news magazine Jeune Afrique has hinted that the Biya regime is suspecting that the President of the Cameroon Football Federation, FECAFOOT, Samuel Eto’o is eyeing the country’s the Presidential seat.

The influential French media organ, in a post, said the rising popularity of the former FC Barcelona star is raising eyebrows among regime heavyweights.

Jeune Afrique comments that Eto’o’s popularity has risen greatly in the country especially after the football legend was elected President of FECAFOOT.
“At the head of FECAFOOT, Samuel Eto’o takes care to show no ambition other than football. But in Yaounde, he is suspected of dreaming of a fate like George Weah and staring at Paul Biya’s succession,” Jeune Afrique wrote in an article posted yesterday.

Talking about Eto’o’s popularity, the media organ says his popularity is “pervasive” and his efforts to pass the streets of Yaounde, Douala and other Cameroonian cities unknown have been in vane as everyone wants a selfie with the legendary soccer star.

“Midnight in Douala. At the exit of a restaurant in Bonapriso, an upscale suburban district of the economic capital, we only hear ‘Eto’o, president!’

“During the election for the head of the Cameroon Football Federation ,FECAFOOT, on December 11, the authorities even feared public disorder in the event of defeat. His success eliminated the risk of riots and increased the popularity of the ‘president’,” writes Jeune Afrique.