JOHANNESBURG: Former Cameroon star Samuel Eto’o was elected to the CAF executive committee by acclamation in Cairo on Wednesday as he was the lone candidate from the central Africa region.
The 44-year-old became eligible only last week after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) overturned a CAF ban on the ex-Barcelona, Inter Milan and Chelsea forward.
His elevation to the executive of the African governing body came at a CAF extraordinary general assembly — an annual meeting of top football officials in the continent.
Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) president Eto’o now joins the supreme decision-making body in Africa.
The gathering at a hotel overlooking the pyramids also confirmed that South African Patrice Motsepe would serve a second four-year term as CAF president. He was unopposed.
Motsepe was elected by acclamation in Morocco four years ago, succeeding Malagasy Ahmad Ahmad, who had been suspended by FIFA over financial misconduct.
CAF secretary general Veron Mosengo-Omba is among those who have credited Motsepe with improving the finances and governance of the organization.
“Patrice was a gift for African football. In 2021 CAF was a toxic body. He brought good governance to all levels of the organization,” Mosengo-Omba said ahead of the meeting.
The CAF ban of Eto’o came last year after the three-time Champions League winner was found guilty by the Cairo-based organization of an ethics breach.
Last July, CAF said the Cameroonian had “seriously violated the principles of ethics, integrity and sportsmanship” by becoming a brand ambassador for a betting organization.
Apart from the suspension, the four-time African Footballer of the Year was fined $200,000 (EUR185,000). This was later quashed.
Born in the Cameroon port city Douala, Eto’o has been involved in several controversies since becoming FECAFOOT boss in 2021.
He was caught on video assaulting a football supporter outside a stadium after a match at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
He later apologized, saying: “I would like to apologize for losing my temper and reacting in a way that does not match my personality. It was an unfortunate incident.”
Last year, he was banned by FIFA from attending all Cameroon men’s and women’s national team matches for six months after an incident at the Women’s under-20 World Cup in Colombia.
The world body found Eto’o guilty of “offensive behavior, violation of the principles of fair play and misconduct of players and officials.”
When Belgian Marc Brys was appointed national coach of the Cameroon men’s team last year, he clashed regularly with Eto’o.
Eto’o enjoyed a glittering career, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest African footballers.
He helped Cameroon win the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games football tournament and was part of the 2000 and 2002 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)-winning teams.
Eto’o featured at four World Cup and six AFCON tournaments and scored a record 18 goals in the African tournament.
Former star Eto’o elected to CAF executive by acclamation
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Former star Eto’o elected to CAF executive by acclamation
- The 44-year-old became eligible only last week after CAS overturned a CAF ban on the ex-Barcelona, Inter Milan and Chelsea forward
- Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) president Eto’o now joins the supreme decision-making body in Africa
Al-Nassr strike late to beat resilient Al-Ittihad as Ronaldo misses second straight match
- Hosts sealed victory late on with goals in the 84th minute and stoppage time
- Victory keeps Al-Nassr one point behind leaders Al-Hilal, who won earlier this weekend as Benzema netted debut hat-trick
RIYADH: Al-Nassr kept their Saudi Pro League title hopes alive with a dramatic 2-0 victory over Al-Ittihad on Matchday 21, sealing the win with goals in the final minutes at Al-Awwal Park.
Playing against the backdrop of transfer-window controversy and without Cristiano Ronaldo for a second straight match, Al-Nassr dominated long spells before finally breaking their opponents’ resistance late on.
The hosts began brightly, creating an early three-on-two counter-attack, though Sadio Mane was unable to pick out Angelo as Al-Ittihad recovered defensively.
Al-Nassr’s back three allowed Mohamed Simakan license to push forward, and in the sixth minute he won possession high up the pitch before setting up Mane, whose effort deflected harmlessly into Predrag Rajkovic’s hands.
Ronaldo chants echoed around the stadium as fans showed support for their captain, who was absent amid reports of discontent following Al-Nassr’s subdued transfer window.
Al-Ittihad threatened briefly when Moussa Diaby crossed for debutant Youssef En-Nesyri, only for Simakan to intervene. A lengthy VAR review followed after the ball appeared to brush Simakan’s hand, but appeals for a penalty were waved away.
Al-Nassr controlled much of the first half, using quick combinations out wide to bypass Al-Ittihad’s defense, though clear chances were limited. The visitors’ best opening fell to Houssem Aouar, who headed wide, while Bento denied Diaby with a smart save from distance.
Marcelo Brozovic came close at the other end with a deflected strike that forced Rajkovic into an impressive reaction save, before the teams went into the break level.
The tempo remained high after the restart, with Joao Felix and Mane continuing to threaten on the counter.
Al-Nassr’s clearest chance arrived in the 68th minute when Brozovic delivered a dipping cross to the far post, but Felix could not apply a decisive touch.
The breakthrough finally came in the 84th minute. Substitute Aiman Yahya’s shot was blocked by Mohammad Ali Barnawi’s elbow, and after a brief pause the referee pointed to the spot. Mane converted the penalty, sending Rajkovic the wrong way.
Al-Nassr sealed the result deep into stoppage time with a swift counter-attack, Angelo finishing coolly by slipping the ball through Rajkovic’s legs.
The win keeps Al-Nassr second in the standings, just one point behind leaders Al-Hilal, who won earlier in the weekend as Karim Benzema netted his debut hat-trick.
Elsewhere, NEOM edged Al-Riyadh 1-0 thanks to Alexandre Lacazette, while Al-Ettifaq beat Damac 2-0 with goals from Georginio Wijnaldum and Mukhtar Ali. The results saw Al-Ettifaq leapfrog Al-Ittihad into sixth, with NEOM remaining eighth, six points behind Al-Ittihad.
Matchday 21 continues on Saturday, with Al-Kholood hosting Al-Shabab, Al-Taawoun facing Al-Khaleej, and Al-Qadsiah traveling to Al-Hasa to take on Al-Fateh.
