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Cameroonian Sports Dispute Heats Up: Xavier Messé Slams Government’s Venue Decision
YAOUNDÉ, August 28, 2024 – In the ongoing saga between Samuel Eto’o, President of the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot), and the Ministry of Sports over the venue for the highly anticipated match between Cameroon and Namibia scheduled for September 7, prominent journalist Xavier Messe has voiced his critical opinion on the matter.
The conflict centers around the choice of stadium, with Eto’o steadfastly opposing the government's decision.
The government has mandated that the match take place at the Amadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaoundé. However, Eto’o and Fecafoot are holding firm to their position that the game should be played at the Roumdé Adjia Stadium in Garoua. This stance has led Fecafoot to formally notify both the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Namibian Football Federation that the match will be held in Garoua, directly challenging the government’s directives.
Government and Fecafoot at an Impasse
The Office National des Infrastructures et des Équipements Sportifs (Onies), responsible for managing sports facilities, has declared that neither the Japoma Stadium in Douala nor the Roumdé Adjia Stadium in Garoua are available for the event. This statement has further complicated the situation, leaving the future of the match venue in limbo.
In the midst of this controversy, journalist Xavier Messé has criticized the situation as a politically motivated maneuver. “Onies is engaged in a disgraceful manipulation. Perhaps this conflict is welcome. When Namibia takes its three points by default, and Cameroon is expelled from CAF and FIFA, then those at Minsep and the newly recruited incompetents at Onies will understand that for a republic to function, everyone must do their job properly,” Messé declared passionately.
Calls for Unity and Support
Messé has urged Fecafoot’s team to rally behind Eto’o, asserting that such solidarity is essential for bringing about positive change in Cameroon's sports landscape. The ongoing dispute highlights the broader issues of governance and sports administration in the country, as well as the complex interplay between political decisions and sports management.
As the situation develops, the football community and fans eagerly await a resolution that will determine where the crucial match will ultimately take place. The outcome of this conflict will not only affect the logistics of the upcoming game but could also have broader implications for the governance of sports in Cameroon.
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