Bridging Organisational Shortfalls

In 2014, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon were shamefully booted out of the World Cup in the group phase with 0 point. A debacle which got tongues wagging and evidently triggered the Head of State to put things in order at the level of organisation and functioning.  President Paul Biya on September 26, 2014 signed a decree clearly stating that the Cameroon Football Federation, referred to as FECAFOOT, is responsible for the administrative, sporting and technical management of national football teams. The decree adds that the financial management of national football teams shall be ensured jointly by the State and FECAFOOT on the basis of specific agreements and texts and that the resources allocated by the State to national football teams constitute public funds and are subject to controls by the competent State bodies. This clearly calls for a perfect collaboration between FECAFOOT and the State represented by the Ministry of Sports.
Years went by and Cameroon finally resurfaced on the continental scene when they won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2017 in the midst of external and internal conflicts that are not new to football in the country. The performance of the team at the 2023 AFCON just uncovered the challenges that are raging on. The challenges persist despite the numerous efforts by government to bring back the once glorious national team; cherished as a national patrimony.
But it is evident that individualism, conflict of interest and external influence have become stumbling blocks to the much wanted success. There is no gainsaying that the Head of State holds the ...