Samuel Etoo has won the 2021 FECAFOOT Election, amassing 43 votes ahead of his closest rival Seidou Mbombo Njoya, who grabbed 31 votes.
Etoo, 40, takes over from the Foumban Prince, who had been in charge since 2018, though his election that year was later annulled in January 2021. Thereafter, Mbombo Njoya only functioned as interim President ahead of the December 11 polls.
The FECAFOOT Election race this year was tight and hard to predict. Despite Etoo’s popularity, Seidou Mbombo Njoya still stood as a tough contender.
Seidou Mbombo Njoya as a fierce opponent against Samuel Etoo
Several football fans in Cameroon had predicted a victory for Mbombo Njoya, saying he was already in the system, and knew whom to meet, where, how, and when.
He could be seen in meetings with several delegates, from one region to another, convincing the representatives to sign endorsements in his favour.
From every indication, Etoo was already aware from the start that it wouldn’t be easy and got himself prepared. Looking at his reactions on November 17, after he officially deposited his candidature at the FECAFOOT head office in Yaounde, it was clear that the former Indomitable Lions’ captain understood what awaited him.
“They said they will ‘execute’ all those who had the courage to give me their support. They were saying everywhere that they have votes.
“Let them know that if one Cameroonian who had wanted to give me support is eliminated, I will come to this head office with all this crowd that is following me and even with those in the other regions, to dislodge them. If it means that I bring our government to do so, I will do it” Etoo bitterly stated after submitting his candidature.
It should be recalled that eight individuals initially announced their candidatures, Samuel Etoo, Seidou Mbombo Njoya, Jules Denis Onana, Jean Krepin Soter, Justin Tagouh, Wandja Zacharie, then Mabouang Kessack and Manuel Boyomo, who were both disqualified for not meeting all requirements, though Kessack’s candidature was later reinstated.