Tension Escalates: Cameroon Secret Service Forces FECAFOOT Appointed National Coaches Out

The coaches, appointed by FECAFOOT President Samuel Eto'o, were forced to resign on May 30, 2024, under severe threats and pressure from DGRE agents.

**Forced Resignations**

According to reliable sources, DGRE agents visited the residences of Ndtoungou Mpile and Pagou early on the morning of May 30. They delivered an ultimatum demanding their immediate resignation, accompanied by threats of severe legal repercussions, including charges of "insurrection" and "rebellion." Under this intense pressure, both coaches signed their resignation letters.

**Governmental Control**

This development follows a broader effort by the government to assert control over national team appointments. David Pagou had been reassigned by the Ministry of Sports to a remote locality nearly 800 kilometers from Yaoundé, part of a move to sideline him from the national team's activities.

**Scheduled Press Conference**

Ndtoungou Mpile and Pagou had planned a press conference for May 30 at 11 a.m. at the FECAFOOT headquarters in Yaoundé to announce the roster for the upcoming World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Cape Verde and Angola. With their forced resignations, this announcement is now in jeopardy.

**Escalating Tensions**

Tensions between FECAFOOT and the Ministry of Sports have been escalating since May 27, when a confrontation at the FECAFOOT headquarters resulted in the dismissal of Belgian coach Marc Brys. The FECAFOOT Executive Committee quickly replaced Brys with Ndtoungou Mpile and Pagou. However, this appointment was contested by the Ministry of Sports, which had initially selected Brys and his team in April. FECAFOOT has criticized this as a violation of FIFA statutes and a presidential decree from 2014 concerning the organization and management of the national team.

**Implications for Cameroonian Football**

These events highlight a deepening rift within the administrative and governance structures of Cameroonian football. The involvement of the DGRE underscores the severity of the crisis, suggesting potential further confrontations between FECAFOOT and state authorities. This turmoil has significant implications for the national team’s preparations and performance in upcoming international competitions.

The football community and fans now await further developments, hoping for a resolution that will stabilize the management of the national team and ensure their successful participation in future competitions.