By Akinwale Kasali
African Football legend, Samuel Eto’o Fils of Cameroon has written his name in gold and made history becoming the first football player to become the President of Cameroon Football Administration.
The former Indomitable Lions of Cameroon striker was elected the President of the Cameroon Football Federation after defeating the incumbent president.
Since his victory, there has been an outpour of love from football fans. His victory is a product of diligence and resilience.
Ivory Coast legends Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure have congratulated Samuel Eto’o on his feat.
The former Barcelona and Real Madrid striker won the election on Saturday after beating interim President and fourth Vice President of the Confederation of African Football, Seidou Mbombo Njoya by 43 to 31 votes.
“Congratulations to Samuel Eto’o for this election at the head of the Cameroonian football federation. Glimmers of hope for the renaissance of African football,” Drogba tweeted.
“Congratulations President! Fantastic to see my friend Samuel Eto’o flying high and elected as the Fecafoot president. Wonderful news,” Toure tweeted.
Eto’o, in his appreciation message to the electorates and fans, highlighted the triumph as a proud moment in his life.
“President of Fecafoot. I’ll be remembering today as one of the proudest moments of my life. I’m deeply grateful to be elected as the new president of Fecafoot,” Eto’o wrote on Instagram.
“Every single vote represents the energy and ambition of our football family to take our beloved sport to a level we’ve never seen before. Let’s get to work.”
This, Nigerian soccer analysts and enthusiasts believe should encourage other former international players, especially in Nigeria, who are aspiring such elevated positions.
“Eto’o knew what he wanted and he started by setting the template for his success. He did not sit and ask for a position, he worked for it and got it. Nigeria has many former international players who have ventured into administration, while some were successful, others failed
“Rather than always making demands from administrators who did not play professional football and who know little or nothing about being a professional footballer, these former Nigerian international players should seek elective positions in the NFF.
“Often, former Super Eagles players are in the news either criticising the administrators of the game or the coaches of the national teams. Eto’o’s victory should move them to go beyond criticism. This should move them to get involved in the administration of football at various levels.
At 40, Eto’o is the President of the Cameroon FA. He did not allow age to limit his ambitions. There are former Nigerian international players who are within his age range. These ones can start getting involved at the grassroots or at the national level
There have been former Nigerian international players who have gone into administration. Jay Jay Okocha readily comes to mind. He was the state FA chairman in Delta State. Segun Odegbami has also unsuccessfully tried to get into administrative offices.
Even the women are not left out. They can seek entry into administrative positions even in the NFF. Former Super Falcons players can also seek positions in the NFF or demand for some appointments to be in their favour, especially those positions that concerns them in the women’s football department of the NFF
Eto’o positioned himself for this victory and he got the support he needed because he did his background work well. This is a challenge to former Nigerian International players to rise and seek elective positions into the NFF.
