MINSEP-FECAFOOT imbroglio: Sports minister mainatins Brys still Lions head coach.

The minister’s declaration came a day after the Cameroon Football Federation, FECAFOOT, suspended Marc Brys and appointed Ndtoungou Martin Mpile as interim head coach of the Indomitable Lions.

The Emergency Committee of FECAFOOT took the decision Tuesday May 28. This was barely hours after a verbal altercation at the federation’s head office, involving its president, Samuel Eto’o Fils, the Belgian football trainer and the Technical Adviser No 2 at the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education, Prof Cyrille Tollo.

While the imbroglio involving the sports ministry and the federation over the appointment of the technical staff of the national team persists, Minister Mouelle Kombi convened a meeting in Yaounde yesterday, during which he firmly maintained that Marc Brys remains Lions coach. 

Wednesday’s meeting to evaluate the level of preparedness for the upcoming matches which the national team will be playing, was attended by the technical staff of the national team appointed on April 2, 2024, through a release signed by Minister Mouelle Kombi.

Members of partner administrations involved in the organisation of the matches also took part in the the in-camera meeting.

The Cameroon Football Federation, FECAFOOT, was represented at the meeting by an executive member of the federation, Prof Nkou Mvondo.

Addressing the press, Minister Mouelle Kombi, said: “We want to underline that fact the discussion unfolded in a very calm and cordial manner, full of frank collaboration and in a constructive spirit towards the best organisation and for positive results for the Indomitable Lions”. 

The sports minister said it was time to focus all energy in ensuring the best preparation for the national team, adding that it isn’t time for distraction.

According to the member of government, they are working on the directives the Head of State handed down in his speech on February 10, during his address to the youth.

“We conscious of what lies ahead and we are working on the orientations and directives of the President of the Republic who wants unity, cohesion, discipline in the Lions den and we are optimistic that the objectives set will be attained,” the minister said.

He disclosed that government has put in place all the resources needed by the Lions to succeed in the next World Cup qualifying games.

To him, the success of the team “requires the mutualisation of energy, multiplication of resources”. He added that “things must be done in an orderly manner,”.

Recommends frank collaboration from FECAFOOT

In order to ensure the success of the two upcoming fixtures, the sports minister made a number of recommendations, several of which were addressed to FECAFOOT.

He requested that the federation puts at the disposal of Marc Brys and his team, all material and equipment which the Lions will require for the two outings.

The minister equally tasked the federation to make available necessary and adequate information on the games to all those involved in the organisation chain.

According to the country’s sports boss, FECAFOOT is supposed to ensure tickets for the game are ready and made available at the various sales points. 

FECAFOOT representative speaking during meeting 

Lions to begin camping June 2

The minister mentioned that with the exception of defender, Jean Charles Castellato, the rest of 30 players preselected by coach Marc Brys will begin camping on June 2.

He did not disclosed the venue retained for the camping but assured that dispositions are in place to give the Lions the best preparation for the upcoming games.

“The players selected by Marc Brys are available for the camping which starts on June 2 in a site that has been chosen and validated by very high hierarchy in order that the Indomitable Lions should be in the best physical, psychological and security conditions…,” he said. 

The sports minister told Marc Brys that Cameroonians love and support their national team and are very exigent when it comes to having the required results.

It should be noted that qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in Canada and USA resume next month.

Cameroon play Cape Verde on June 8 at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde on match day three before travelling to face Angola in Luanda, three days later.