FECAFOOT slams five-year ban on Njitap.

The sanctions are contained in an official release issued by the Ethics Committee of FECAFOOT, which went viral Wednesday. 

The decision was taken on May 28, 2025, and signed by the Rapporteur of the Committee, Emaha Bertin, and its President, Njoh Aurelien. 

According to the body, Njitap was found guilty of violating the rules of general conduct of Article 13, sub 1 and 3 of FECAFOOT Code of Ethics. 

The Ethics Committee did not immediately specify the exact reason for sanctioning Njitap. 

However, it is understood to be related to an altercation involving the security guards of FECAFOOT president, Samuel Eto'o, who forcefully evicted Njitap from the Lions dressing room. 

The incident, it should be recalled, occurred during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after a 3-2 win over The Gambia, which secured the Indomitable Lions qualification for the round of 16. 

Reports indicate that during a congratulatory session with the team, Njitap was interrupted by someone identified as a member of Eto'o Fils’ security, who instructed Njitap to leave the dressing room. 

Njitap reportedly responded: "Go and tell the one who sent you to come and carry out the instruction himself. What is he afraid of?"

The head of Eto'o Fils’ security staff, Etienne Tamo, reports say, then entered the room and told Geremi: "I received firm instruction from FECAFOOT president; Geremi must leave the locker room. If you take one more step, I will punch you". 

SYNAFOC has vehemently condemned the treatment Njitap received. They said Njitap was a personal guest of the President of the Confederation of African Football, CAF and had full access to all spaces in the stadium, including the locker room. 

FECAFOOT in its defense said access to the locker room was granted only after the presentation of a pass and Njitap was in possession of one. FECAFOOT also mentioned that Njitap ignored protocol and attempted to bypass the security.

Njitap is not the only one who was suspended. SYNAFOC Secretary General, Daniel Blaise Ngos, was also suspended. He was handed a two-year ban and ordered to pay the sum of five million FCFA. 

Njitap and Ngos join a long list of officials who have been suspended by FECAFOOT, under the mandate of Samuel Eto'o Fils. 

Most of those who have suffered the same fate are club presidents. They include; Gilbert Kadji of Kadji Sport Academy, Johnson Bang of Bang Bullet of Nkambe, Donald Ngamenie of Unisport, Adolphe Nseke of Aigle du Moungo, Pierre Kwemo of Union Mouvement Sportive of Loum, UMS, Kome Max of Dragon of Yaounde, Saint Fabien Mvogo of Eding Sport, Njalla Quan Jnr of Njalla Quan Sport Academy among others. 

At press time, SYNAFOC had not issued a reply. 

Eto'o clearing path for re-election 

The relationship between Njitap and Eto'o, who were teammates at the national team, with over 100 appearances in the era, went from bad to worse, since it was revealed that Njitap would challenge the incumbent during the next FECAFOOT election in December 2025.

According to football fans, upsetting Eto'o during the upcoming elections, considered as one of the closely fought races, where he would be seeking re-election, was always going to be a tall-order. 

With Njitap now out of the picture, Eto'o is guaranteed of the crown again. 

Some football fans, we gathered, wary of placing their faith again in the Cameroonian legend and were hoping that Njitap, who has now been suspended for five years, would offer a stern challenge for the top seat. 

Statistics do not make pleasant reading of Samuel Eto'o's record at the helm of FECAFOOT. 

In fact, it is not hard to recall the setbacks of his administration. The suspension of Njitap has been interpreted as an attempt to clear the path for Eto'o's re-election as FECAFOOT boss, despite a plethora of unfulfilled promises.   

Eto'o is in the final year of his first four-year mandate as president of FECAFOOT. Retaining the top job, experts say, is one of his priorities. 

Immediately he took over office, reports emerged that he wanted to move the mandate from four to seven years but was faced with scathing criticisms.

In three years, Samuel Eto'o has remained steadfast in his mission to revamp Cameroon's football infrastructure, improve the national team performance, and increase transparency within the federation. Eto'o made several promises which he has yet to fulfil. 

He had promised to construct 10 stadia across the country in his first four-year term but not even one is complete. 

He also promised to organise a vibrant national youth championship, and ensure professionalisation of the country's top tier league with broadcast rights and better conditions for players. 

But this is not the case today. The national teams have suffered dwindling fortunes, arguably one of the worst in the country's history. 

Eto'o has also handed a technical knockout to his rivals and potential challengers. It has been described as a strategic move to maintain his position. 

Experts are unanimous that even if Samuel Eto'o performs well in his last year of his first mandate as FECAFOOT president, it will not have any bearing on his re-election.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3478 of Thursday June 19, 2025