Former FECAFOOT president dies.

A statement signed by FECAFOOT Secretary General, Mandong Isaac, describes Owona Baylon’s exit as a great loss to the Cameroonian football fraternity.

The federation said the strides made by the former Tonnerre Kalara Club of Yaounde defender both as a footballer and an executive, immensely contributed to the growth of the sport in Cameroon.

“His performances opened doors to the senior national team, the Indomitable Lions, in the early 1970s, with whom he made history,” the federation stated. 

FECAFOOT also lauded the fallen football icon for the contributions he made in the overall development and modernization of football and the general activities of the federation.

“…He over the years, built a solid reputation as a man of integrity and conviction, driven by a passion for the development of Cameroonian football. At the head of FECAFOOT and as a seasoned administrator, he greatly contributed to modernizing the Federation’s administrative management,” the FECAFOOT scribe wrote, while extending the federation’s “deepest condolences” to the family and friends of the deceased on behalf of FECAFOOT boss, Samuel Eto’o. 

Owona Baylon’s demise comes 13 months after the departure of another former FECAFOOT chief, Albert Etotoke. The dead of Etokoke who led FECAFOOT as president from 1989 to 1990, was announced on January 1 last year. 

Owona Baylon the football icon 

He served as FECAFOOT president from 1992 to 1994 after succeeding Albert Etotoke. He is one of a very few footballers who successfully transitioned from active playing careers into leading FECAFOOT. 

He shares the podium only with the likes of the federation’s current boss, Samuel Eto’o Fils. As an active footballer, Owona Baylon made his name while starring for renown Cameroonian club, Tonnerre Kalara Club of Yaounde. He also represented Cameroon at major competitions continentally.

He captained the Indomitable Lions when the outfit made its first-ever appearance in the final phase of the Africa Cup of Nations in the 1970 edition of the continental showpiece.   

“Homme Sec” or Dry Man as the defender was fondly referred to at the time, got the captain armband in the tournament ahead of the highly-respected Samuel Mbappe Leppe and a host of other well-known stars that were representing Cameroon internationally at the time. 

Between 1992 and 1994 when he was FECAFOOT boss, the Indomitable Lions participated in the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations where the team concluded its journey in the tourney on the fourth position. 

Although the Lions missed out on the 1994 edition of the continental championship two years later, the Lions went ahead to qualify for the 1994 FIFA World Cup which took place in the United States of America.

Lions former team bus driver also dies

FECAFOOT on Thursday also announced the demise of the former driver of Indomitable Lions team bus, Tanko Mohamadou. The federation said the chauffeur also quit the scene on Wednesday this week.

“FECAFOOT salutes the memory of a man who dedicated an important part of his life to the service of Cameroonian football,” the federation said in a post on its official Facebook page. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3362 of Friday February 7, 2025