Former Cameroonian star forward and current football federation president Samuel Eto’o has apologized to national team coach Marc Brys after a heated exchange earlier this week. The ex-Barcelona striker also confirmed that Brys would remain in his position, despite an earlier announcement that the Belgian coach was to be replaced.
“I apologize because during our first unfortunate meeting, there was a lot of emotion… but the Cameroonian people are more important than us, and it is for them that we must work,” said Eto’o during a press conference. This apology referred to an incident captured on video, widely shared on social media, where Eto’o and Brys were seen in a heated argument before Brys abruptly left.
Eto’o, a two-time Africa Cup of Nations winner, reassured Brys of his support: “Your mission is not an easy one, despite your qualities and experience, but you should know that you will have our support.”
Brys was appointed as head coach in April by Cameroon’s sport ministry, a decision that astonished the country’s football federation (Fecafoot) and Eto’o. Eto’o had written to the ministry denouncing the “illegal” appointment of the 62-year-old coach. Fecafoot expressed regret over not being involved in the selection process for the new coach and his staff.
Despite the initial controversy, Brys will now oversee Cameroon’s next two crucial matches in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, against Cape Verde on June 8 and Angola three days later.
