Roger Milla Speaks Out: Eto'o Faces Unjust Criticism Amidst Cameroonian Football Power Struggle

Criticism of Minister of Sports and Joseph Antoine Bell

Milla's harshest words were directed at Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, the Minister of Sports. He pointed out that the Minister's interference in football matters was not in line with his responsibilities:
"It's a shame. He's not the Minister of Football. The president’s speech didn’t say he should manage football. In 2024, a minister cannot appoint a coach."
Milla expressed frustration over what he sees as unwarranted obstacles to Eto'o's work, suggesting the Minister should allow the football federation president to do his job without interference. He also lambasted Joseph Antoine Bell, who manages Cameroon's stadiums, accusing him of jealousy and obstruction:
"He shouldn’t stop Samuel from doing his job. If he couldn’t become president, he shouldn’t prevent someone else from working. I’m very disappointed in his behavior."

Defense of Samuel Eto'o

Roger Milla passionately defended Eto'o's character, acknowledging his strong personality but insisting that it should be accepted, given his achievements on the pitch. He called out those who are trying to undermine Eto'o’s work:
"Why is everyone going after Samuel? He has his personality just like Joseph Antoine Bell has his personality. It’s getting ugly!"
Milla made it clear that Eto'o has earned the love and respect of Cameroonians through his contributions to the sport, and the attacks on his leadership were unfounded.

Remarks on Coach Marc Brys

Milla also took aim at Marc Brys, the coach of the national team, calling him "out of line" and criticizing his management style. He accused Brys of behaving inappropriately, such as withholding players' passports and controlling locker room access:
"He is out of line, an awful coach who confiscates players' passports and takes the keys to the locker room. He must stop what he's doing. Cameroon is not a small country."

Call for Leadership from Vincent Aboubakar

Milla also directed a message to Vincent Aboubakar, the captain of the national team, urging him to take charge and assert himself more strongly as a leader:
"They are the leaders of the team. A captain needs to bang his fist on the table and say, 'Enough is enough.' They are just being forced to speak badly about the FECAFOOT president."

Conclusion

Roger Milla’s comments reflect his deep frustration with the current situation in Cameroonian football. His defense of Eto'o and criticism of the figures obstructing him indicate the depth of the internal tensions within the sport. Milla's interview highlights the divide between Eto'o's supporters, who see him as a change agent, and those who oppose his leadership, leading to a significant power struggle in Cameroonian football.