Marc Brys Becomes Third Belgian Coach to Lead Indomitable Lions

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Marc Brys is set to become the third Belgian coach to lead the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon once he finalizes his contract. The Belgian coach’s appointment by the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education (MINSEP) on April 2 has stirred some controversy within the country’s football governing body.

Brys will be stepping into the role previously held by Henry Depireux (1996-1997) and Hugo Broos (2016-2017).

Henry Depireux, now deceased, guided Cameroon to qualifications for the 1998 World Cup in France and the African Nations Cup hosted by Burkina Faso in 1998 during his tenure. Despite his tactical prowess, Depireux’s time with the team was short-lived.

In 2016, Hugo Broos faced skepticism upon his arrival in the lion’s den. Despite criticism from some supporters questioning his coaching abilities, Broos led a seemingly “average” team to victory in the 2017 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Gabon, leaving a significant mark in his tenure.

**Henry Depireux, (now deceased) 1996-1997**

With Marc Brys stepping into the coaching role, challenges have arisen, with the Cameroon Football Federation expressing their surprise at his appointment, citing lack of prior communication. As tensions simmer, football pundits predict that the upcoming days will be pivotal for the team.

Newly Appointed Indomitable Lions Coach, Marc Brys Arrives Cameroon

The newly appointed coach of the Indomitable Lions, Belgian-born Marc Brys, has arrived in Cameroon to take up his duties. Brys arrived in Cameroon via Nsimalen International Airport on Sunday, April 7.

**Marc Brys speaking to the press shortly after arriving Cameroon** (Photo Credit: CAMFOOT)

His flight was delayed for several hours. He was welcomed by the number 2 technical adviser to the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education. Also on board were his two assistants and Dany Nounkeu, the Indomitable Lions’ Team Manager.

Talking to the press after landing in Cameroon, Brys said, “I’m happy to be here. I was in Cameroon several years ago. Now I’m back. I’m curious to get started. We’re ready to put things in place. We’ll see. I was happy with the way Cameroon made the squad. It was professional. It opens a lot of doors for us.”

Close sources say the rest of the staff will arrive this Monday, April 8. Marc Brys and his team will be received on Monday by the Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Prof. Narcisse Mouelle Kombi. This will be followed by the signing of various contracts.

His arrival comes at a time when the Cameroon Football Federation, FECAFOOT, is expected to name their own coach on Tuesday, April 9. This follows the Executive Committee of the Federation granting authorization to the President of FECAFOOT, Samuel Eto’o. FECAFOOT had earlier indicated that they do not recognize the appointment.

Bafut indigenous wisdom beamed to the world

By Leocadia Bongben

Bafut people have showcased their indigenous knowledge to the world by the way they reconnect with the land, food, and their ancestors. This was during an event dubbed Mandela Day. Mandelah is a traditional festival of the Bafut people, meant to fight hunger in the land. During the ceremony, there is a Mandelah dance, also known as the Royalty Dance, where music from flutes and drums produces a sweet melody to which the people sway and rock gracefully.

The Mandeleh event is part of the Conscious Food System Alliance (COFSA, a UNDP project for indigenous people from Colombia, the Philippines, and Africa). Better World Cameroon, an NGO that promotes permaculture in the Bafut Eco-Village (burnt down in the heat of the Anglophone crisis), had the privilege to represent Africa with events organized from February 14–15, 2024.

The location was the Bafut Palace World Heritage Site. Princess Abumbi Prudence, the Better World Cameroon Coordinator, oversaw the event.

Bafut people shared indigenous knowledge with online participants under the theme “Regenerative Peace Education from Africa for Seeding the Future: from Ubuntu to Kapwa: Reconnecting with Land, Food, and Ancestors through “The Spirit of Ndanifor.”

Through the event Mandeleh, the Bafut people showed the world how they nourish people in the community by respecting food by the way they eat Achu, in the spirit of togetherness from the same banana leaves, licking their fingers, a way of connecting with nature and their ancestors. Achu is eaten with either yellow soup or black soup (garden eggs and mushrooms), among others. The black soup without oil, consists of spices blended to make a delicious soup relished in the land.

On this special occasion, Queen Abumbi Constance led the audience on a trip down memory lane to explore the meaning of the yearly celebration of Mandeleh. According to legend, the ancestors told Niba Sissu, the ancient king of Bafut, that he should encourage his people to concentrate on farming to feed the people and get ready for the days of famine rather than depending on hunting when there was hunger in the land.

Indigenous elders, on occasion, shared their knowledge with the younger generation. They say that by taking young people along to the farm, they transfer their traditional farming practices and customs through quality apprenticeship. Also, by working in community associations, they share knowledge through a community of practice and work on large portions of land by the sheer power of community in the spirit of togetherness, The Spirit of Ndanifor.

According to Abumbi Prudence, holding the event in the palace signifies acceptance and blessings from the king and, by extension, the ancestors, since the king is the link between the living and the dead.

King Abumbi II extended an invitation to Better World Cameroon to share expertise and skills with women and young people in the Bafut Eco-village to support the sustainable development of Bafut. “We share what little we have with the needy and destitute. We have organized this hunger dance with you for you to visit Bafut and share what little you have with us so that we can cultivate crops and produce enough food to feed ourselves. We will provide you with the assistance you need,” the King of Bafut, King Abumbi II, said.

The festival was equally an opportunity for the king to initiate the Better World Cameroon team members as privileged people to become community leaders. It is worth noting that everyone in Bafut land, according to tradition, cannot greet the king unless they have gone through a rite of passage. The king performs the ritual. This explains why some people keep their distance whenever they meet with the king.

During a practical workshop on the farm, shared online, women and teenagers also shared their knowledge of indigenous farming and food preservation. They suggest utilizing dried grass as compost and animal dung as manure instead of fertilizer. In addition, they employ wood ash, (bio-char), which is used on various crops before planting to stop rot and supplement additional nutrients. Young people and women gave planting demonstrations for cassava, yam, and cocoyam. It was also a chance to discuss food preservation. Turmeric is preserved in powder form, taken with tea, and eaten with meals.

All stakeholders co-created indigenous and modern learning tools for inner development. Activities initiated by Better World Cameroon based on “The Spirit of Ndanifor “philosophy were recorded as short video documentaries on indigenous conscious food principles to inspire the world.

Stakeholders adopted “The Spirit of Ndanifor Manifesto” and a declaration to align themselves with CoFSA principles of food consciousness.

In the Bafut Eco Village intergenerational program, women and adolescents learn about permaculture, turmeric/ginger transformation, and other regenerative agricultural skills. Presently, many people are no longer able to benefit from these activities because the village was burned down as the Anglophone crisis rages on in Cameroon’s Northwest and Southwest Regions.

Despite the war devastation, the Bafut indigenous kingdom has the view and aspiration in the reconstruction phase to open Bafut to the world by showcasing their simple indigenous knowledge of community living with nature as an economic model of shifting the community from aid to food sovereignty, ecological agriculture, and regenerative business by making civil society part of the process. The Bafut Ecovillage puts young people’s and women’s projects and compassionate support in synchronicity with integrity and mutual respect through networking and sharing stories. In this model, people come in with their story and leave with another story.

Bafut is a top-notch trainer for regenerative farming, mending human-land relationships, and teaching trainers for these practices—a fact that the world needs to know.

Jules Abah Onana Appointed Canon Sportive Coach

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Jules Abah Onana, a seasoned and experienced coach in Cameroonian football, has been entrusted with the important role of leading Canon Sportive FC’s technical bench. Popularly known as Kpa kum of Yaounde, the club has brought in Abah Onana to replace Joseph Atagana, who faced dismissal due to a series of disappointing results.

**Jules Abah Onana, Canon’s FC new coach**

Despite a promising start to the championship, Kpa kum under the leadership of Jospeh Atagana encountered a rough patch since the commencement of the Play-offs. Jules Abah was appointed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors (PCA) Benoît Placide Mevoua on April 7.

The team’s recent performance in the ongoing Play-offs has been less than satisfactory, having failed to secure a single victory in the four matches played, resulting in two defeats and two draws. These outcomes have cast doubt on the club’s aspirations to clinch their 11th championship title.

Nevertheless, there is a glimmer of hope as the championship title still remains mathematically possible, owing to the closely contested rankings so far. However, the odds are stacked against Kpa kum as leading teams such as YOSA, Coton, and Colombe have established a considerable lead at the top of the standings.

Abah Onana’s immediate tasks include steering Canon FC through the remaining Play-offs in Douala and preparing the team for the upcoming Cameroon Cup. With a coaching background that includes stints at notable clubs like Académie Nyom 2, Tonnerre Kalara Club in Yaoundé, Eding Sport, and Colombe FC, Abah Onana brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role at Canon.

The first litmus test for Abah Onana will be on Tuesday, April 9, as Canon faces off against Victoria United of Limbé in the Play-offs, marking the 5th day of play.

FECAFOOT’s Executive Committee Authorizes Samuel Eto’o To Recruit Lions’ Technical Staff

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

The tussle between the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education, MINSEP and the Cameroon Football Federation, FECAFOOT, over the appointment of the new technical team of the Indomitable Lions has taken a different twist.

**Samuel Eto’o, President of the Cameroon Football Federation, FECAFOOT**

The tussle seems to have taken a different dimension following an emergency FECAFOOT Executive Meeting held in Yaounde on April 6.

As a result of this meeting, the Executive Committee of the Federation authorized Samuel Eto’o to oversee the recruitment of the technical staff for the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon with 72 hours.

This decision came in response to the State’s intervention in appointing the technical team on April 2, which led to tensions between MINESEP and FECAFOOT.

“Unanimously, the members present at the Emergency Committee recommend to the president of FECAFOOT to submit to it, in application of articles 4 of decree No. 2014/384 of September 26, 2014, and 40 paragraph 11 of the statutes of FECAFOOT, proposals for the appointment of members of the management structures of national football teams within seventy-two (72) hours,” states Resolution two.

Meanwhile, in a strong four-page document early forwarded to Samuel Eto’o on April 5, Minister of Sport and Physical Education, Prof. Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, highlighted that the State had the authority to appoint the technical staff of the national football team.

He referenced article 9 of the MINSEP-FECAFOOT convention of February 5, 2015, which grants the State the power to recruit and assign supervisors to national football teams.

Minister Kombi asserted that the State’s decision was made in good faith and did not infringe upon FECAFOOT’s autonomy or violate any relevant regulations.

According to sports pundits, this recent development signifies a deepening conflict between the Ministry of Sports and FECAFOOT.

Final Communique of the Emergency Committee Meeting of FECAFOOT held on April 2024

Appointments In National Team Have Been Approved By Highest Authority – Sports Minister Tells Eto’o

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

The Minister of Sport and Physical Education, Prof. Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, has said that the recent appointment of the technical staff of the Cameroon National Football team has been approved by the Highest Authority in the country.

**Prof. Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, Cameroon Minister of Sports**

The strongly worded message is contained in a three-page document sent to the President of the Cameroon Football Federation, FECAFOOT, Samuel Eto’o, dated April 5. The latter is sent as a reply to the letter that was sent to Minister Mouelle Kombi rejecting the appointment of the technical staff of the Cameroon National football team.

“…we would like to inform you that the Ministry of Sport and Physical Education has already taken all the necessary, appropriate, and useful measures, in conjunction with the other State administrations concerned, to ensure that the new coach-selector, Mr. Marc BRYS, and the other members of the national team’s technical, administrative, and medical staff, whose list has been approved by the Very High Hierarchy, take up their duties. Marc BRYS and the other members of the national team’s technical, administrative, and medical staff, whose list has been approved by the Very High Hierarchy,” Prof. Mouelle Kombi said.

The Minister pointed out that the decision to appoint the technical team of the national team is based on the basis of article 9 of the MINSEP-FECAFOOT convention of February 5, 2015, giving full latitude to the State to recruit and make supervisors available to its national football teams.

To this effect, Minister Mouelle Kombi said, the State acted in good faith and does not in any way affect FECAFOOT’s autonomy and does not violate any of the ‘supranational regulations’ to which FECAFOOT refers. On the contrary, it takes full account of them.

Article 9 (1): “The members of the management structures of national football teams are recruited either on the basis of a contract signed with the President of the Cameroon Football Federation, after the obligatory opinion of the Minister in charge of sports, or on the basis of a provision by the State.”

The Minister indicated that the choice and appointment of the entire management team was made from a teleological and strategic point of view, with a concern for efficiency and consistency in achieving the performance objectives assigned to the Indomitable Lions.

“In doing so, the sovereign State, which has full competence for the authentic interpretation and application of its regulatory acts, has assumed its responsibilities as owner of the Indomitable Lions, the heritage of the Cameroonian people who expect a new lease of life and a renewed fighting spirit from them,” the Minister said.

The Minister said around thirty applications were received at MINSEP, including three transmitted by FECAFOOT. With regard to the three applications submitted by FECAFOOT, each presented exorbitant salary expectations which the State could not pay. As a result, a rigorous selection process also led to the identification of other potential technical, administrative, and medical managers.

As is tradition, all the short-lists were submitted to the High Arbitration and Sanction Committee of the Presidency of the Republic, which duly validated and approved the composition of the new technical, administrative, and medical staff of the Indomitable Lions, proposed by the Ministry in charge, with Marc BRYS as Coach-Selector.

In a letter (No. 048/FECAFOOT/PDT/DIRCAB/2024) dated April 3, 2024, sent to Prof. Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, Eto’o said the football association cannot recognize appointments made outside the legal and regulatory framework.

FECAFOOT said they were not contacted in the procedures of appointing the coach and reiterates that the position of coach is a competence devolved to the national federation under the terms of Decree No. 2014/384 of July 26, 2014, relating to the organization and operation of national football teams.

FENASCO A Games: At CAMTEL, We Support The Fact That We Need To Invest In Youths – Officials

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Georges Essama, an official from Cameroon Telecommunications, CAMTEL Marketing Department, says that the institution supports the need to invest in youths and promote what is best for their education.

**CAMTEL Marketing Department’s Georges Essama speaking to the press**

The statement was made on April 2 in Limbe during the opening ceremony of the 24^th edition of the National Secondary School Games, known as FENASSCO A Games. The opening ceremony was presided over by the Minister of Secondary Education, Prof. Nalova Lyonga, accompanied by the Minister of Sports, Prof Narcise Mouelle Kombi, among other dignitaries.

“We believe that young people, through this activity, have a chance to showcase their best, what they do, and who they are. At CAMTEL, we support the need to invest in youths and promote what is best for their education,” Georges Essama said adding that CAMTEL is also aiming to raise awareness among the public about its various internet packages and services.

“Blue offers a variety of internet packages that people can subscribe to and use to access the internet on their mobile devices, at home, and in office spaces. The packages and sizes vary depending on the users’ needs, whether they are individuals, small enterprises, or large companies,” he said.

According to Essama, “We are collaborating with start-ups and young organizations to help them address their connectivity needs, find solutions to new challenges like cybersecurity, and navigate the realm of artificial intelligence.”

CAMTEL says it supports such ecosystems not only by providing connectivity but also by guiding them through the challenges they encounter while carrying out activities that are placing and will continue to place Cameroon in the limelight in the tech field.

In its effort to prioritize youths in its activities and digital transformation, CAMTEL is sponsoring and proudly participating in the ongoing national FENASCO A finals in Limbe, Cameroon’s Southwest region.

This marks the second time that CAMTEL is officially sponsoring the FENASSCO A Games. In 2023, when the event took place in Garoua, they were the sponsors. They have also sponsored University Games.

During the course of the event spanning six days, athletes compete in a wide array of collective and individual sports. These sports include football, handball, basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, table tennis, judo, badminton, track and field events, and a host of other engaging activities that showcase their skills and abilities.

CAMTEL, the official sponsor of the 24th edition of the FENASCO A Games, remains committed to its ethos as a corporate citizen enterprise, dedicated to supporting the state in the age of digital technology.

The incumbent telecommunications operator, CAMTEL, has adorned the different sports arenas with gadgets representing the services they offer, such as mobile telephone services under the “Blue” brand of the operator.

Marc Brys Speaks Out After His Appointment as Coach of Cameroon

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

The newly appointed coach of Cameroon, Belgian-born Marc Brys, has spoken since his appointment as the head coach of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.

Speaking through the Sporza media outlet, the 61-year-old said he chose Cameroon over several countries because the offer in Cameroon was good both in sporting and financial terms.

**Marc Brys, newly appointed Cameroon Coach** (Photo Credit: Iconsport)

“The puzzle was perfect in Cameroon, both in sporting and financial terms. It’s also a challenge to work in a different way. I’ve never been a national coach before. You have to try and bind together a group that you see very little of,” Marc Brys said.

He added, “Cameroon is not the only country to have approached me in recent months. I’ve also spoken to Ghana. And a week ago, Tunisia entered the fray. Have any Belgian clubs sounded me out? I absolutely didn’t want to go back to Belgium. I was a bit tired of doing the rounds there.”

Since his appointment on April 2, there has been a lot of controversy and debate concerning him. On their part, the Cameroon Football Federation, FECAFOOT, said they do not recognize his appointment.

According to FECAFOOT, the decision was unilaterally taken by the government; meanwhile, FECAFOOT is supposed to conduct the election and forward the name to the government for endorsement according to the law in place.

The former player replaces Rigobert Song, whose contract was not renewed at the end of February 2024.

Marc Brys has a wealth of coaching experience spanning more than 25 years, mainly confined to his own country, Belgium, where he coached Germinal Beerschot, Mouscron, Mechelen, Sint-Truiden, and Leuven until last October.

He has also had some experience abroad, in the Netherlands (FC Eindhoven, FC Den Bosch) and Saudi Arabia (Al-Faisaly, Al-Raed, Najran SC).

Cameroon Maintains Position In March FIFA Ranking

By Peter Che Essoka

In the most recent FIFA Ranking update released for the month of March, the national football team of Cameroon has managed to maintained the 51st position despite not participating in the last FIFA window. The list released on April 4 reveals that Cameroon holds the ninth position in Africa dropping two places in the continental rankings.

However, Morocco leads the pack as the highest-ranked African country, holding the 13^th position in the global ranking. Despite a slight drop in position, Morocco’s football prowess remains evident.

Senegal, positioned at 17^th place, has held its ground with an unchanged ranking. In the global rankings, Nigeria has slid down to the 30th position, losing two places.

Similarly, Egypt has dropped a place to 37^th position. However, Cote D’Ivoire has made a positive move by climbing up a place, positioning themselves just behind Egypt. Algeria maintains its position at 43^rd place.

Mali’s remarkable performance is highlighted as they have witnessed a three-place climb, now standing at the 44^th position. The top three positions in Africa are currently occupied by Morocco, Senegal, and Nigeria.

In the global rankings, Argentina continues to lead the pack, followed closely by France in the second position. Belgium has made a notable return to the podium, securing the third spot at the expense of England, which has slipped to fourth place.

Brazil completes the top five, with Portugal knocking on the door at sixth place. The Netherlands has slipped one place to seventh, while Spain, Italy, and Croatia have maintained their positions in the top ten.

The recent Men’s International Match Calendar saw a total of 174 matches played across the globe. Asian teams participated in various formats, including FIFA World Cup 26 qualifiers, while the CONCACAF zone witnessed the final phase of the Nations League. Friendly matches across all six confederations added to the excitement of the FIFA Series 2024.

Appointment of New Coach: FECAFOOT Refuses to Recognize Appointments Outside Legal, Regulatory Framework

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

The Cameroon Football Federation, FECAFOOT, has stated that the football association cannot recognize appointments made outside the legal and regulatory framework.

The statement is contained in a letter (No. 048/FECAFOOT/PDT/DIRCAB/2024) dated April 3, 2024, sent to the Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Prof. Narcisse Mouelle Kombi.

**Samuel Eto’o, President of the Cameroon Football Federation, FECAFOOT in 2022** (Photo Credit: Mainimo Etienne)

The letter signed by the Federation President, Samuel Eto’o, and send to the Ministry of Sports is in relation to the appointment of the technical team of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.

FECAFOOT says there were not contacted and reiterates that the position of coach is a competence devolved to the national federation under the terms of Decree No. 2014/384 of July 26, 2014, relating to the organization and operation of national football teams.

Quoting Article 3(1) of the decree signed by President Paul Biya, FECAFOOT stated that the said decree entrusts them with the administrative, sporting, and technical management of national football selections.

“Our body is therefore competent to receive, evaluate, and propose to government supervision candidates for the vacant positions concerned,” FECAFOOT added.

Having been neither directly nor remotely associated with the process of pre-selection of applications for vacant positions, and referring to the provisions of the previously mentioned decree and the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of FIFA Players, FECAFOOT said, “the Cameroonian Football Federation is not involved in the recruitment process for personnel appointed within the technical, administrative, and medical management of our national selections.”

The federation further emphasized that “the national federation cannot recognize these appointments made outside of any legal and regulatory framework. In absolute terms, FECAFOOT cannot be a party to this act devoid of any legal basis and cannot compromise with supranational regulations and, even less, with the legal and regulatory provisions in force in our country.”

However, FECAFOOT mentioned that they are available for collaboration in compliance with the texts in force. These reactions follow the appointment of Belgian Marc Brys as the new head coach of the men’s football team. He was appointed alongside the technical team.

The Belgian tactician replaces former coach Rigobert Song, whose contract was not renewed after his two-year contract expired in February 2024. The 61-year-old has coached 15 clubs in his career in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Saudi Arabia.

The Ministry of Sports and Physical Education has not issued a statement since the communique appointing the technical team was made viral. However, debates have been ongoing since the list was made public.

Recent Posts

Tile Posts

Posts Thumbnail

List Posts

Categories

Posts Thumbnail

Recent Posts

List Posts

Social Links