The coach of the Indomitable Lions announced on Thursday a 26-man squad for the FIFA Series 2026, and David Pagou has handed call-ups to four homegrown league talents. Who are these players?

The selected quartet includes Konrad Nifanso from Panthère du Ndé, Serge Valéry Eloundou Nzomo of AS Fortuna, and two players from Gazelle FA: Maël Fernandez Mouniébi and Housseini Ousmanou.

It appears these four players impressed David Pagou during the initial selection camp in early March, which brought together 30 domestic-based footballers.

David Pagou explained his reasoning for their inclusion in the ranks of the Indomitable Lions:

“I am a product of the local game. Charity begins at home. That’s why I will never hesitate to support our domestic league. The door to the Indomitable Lions remains open.”

Source: Foot Africa

The legal battle between the Cameroon Football Federation, led by Samuel Eto’o, and the National Union of Cameroonian Footballers, headed by Geremi Njitap, has reached another dramatic chapter in the courts. The Federation has announced that the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed the appeal filed by SYNAFOC.

In an official statement, the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) confirmed that the appeal lodged with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) by the National Union of Cameroonian Footballers (SYNAFOC) has not succeeded.

This action was aimed at contesting a previous decision handed down by the Conciliation and Arbitration Chamber of the Cameroon National Olympic and Sports Committee, which had already rejected SYNAFOC’s complaint against the resolutions adopted by FECAFOOT’s governing bodies during the meetings held on November 15 and 16, 2024.

These resolutions notably included the withdrawal of recognition that had until then established SYNAFOC as the representative union for Cameroonian footballers. That recognition has since been transferred to the National Association of Cameroonian Footballers (ANFC).

According to FECAFOOT, the CAS decision thus confirms the compliance and legality of the actions taken by its governing bodies in this matter.

Source: Yahoo Sports

The president of Cameroon’s football federation has publicly defended his decision to increase the salary of Coach David Pagou, declaring that national expertise must no longer be undervalued.

Samuel Eto’o said the move was intended to restore respect and recognition for Cameroonian coaches, arguing that local professionals deserve the same financial commitment often reserved for foreign appointments.

His comments underline a broader stance that domestic talent should be supported in line with the country’s footballing ambitions.

Speaking about the contract renewal, Eto’o revealed details of his exchange with Pagou during negotiations.

“When I renewed David Pagou’s contract, he told me, ‘President, that’s a lot!’ I replied that if the Federation had more resources, I would have given him even more.

Because if it’s possible to spend millions of CFA francs to pay an incompetent foreign coach, then it’s legitimate to invest billions of CFA francs to develop a competent Cameroonian coach.”

The federation chief’s remarks signal a clear shift in approach. For years, modest pay packages for local coaches have contrasted sharply with the salaries often offered to expatriate managers.

Eto’o suggested that such disparities send the wrong message about the value placed on national expertise.

By backing Pagou with improved financial terms, the federation aims to demonstrate confidence in home-grown leadership.

Eto’o indicated that investment in Cameroonian coaches should be seen not as an expense, but as a long-term commitment to the country’s football development.

The decision also carries symbolic weight. Breaking with established practice, the salary increase reflects a determination to promote local competence and reward performance accordingly.

Observers believe the gesture could encourage other Cameroonian coaches to raise their standards, knowing that their work can be recognised and properly compensated at the highest level of the national game.

Source: Africa Soccer

When Hamadou Bi Ibrahim crossed the finish line to secure a victory in Cameroon’s iconic mountain race, the crowd erupted into thunderous applause.

The 38-year-old runner was among more than 600 participants, including 22 foreign competitors, who took on the challenge of scaling the highest mountain in West and Central Africa during the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope over the weekend.

First held in 1973, the race combines the demands of a marathon with the challenges of a mountain climb. The course requires runners to ascend to the summit and then retrace the same demanding route back to the starting point at Molyko Stadium. Participants have to brave temperatures that range from 28 degrees Celsius at the base to near freezing at the 4,100-meter summit.

For Ibrahim, the win marked years of perseverance on the demanding course. “I am very pleased and proud to win this race. It is a difficult race, especially when climbing the mountain,” Ibrahim said.

Beyond personal glory, Ibrahim said he was encouraged by the race’s efforts to promote harmony, understanding and nonviolence.

Hailing from the village of Awing in the conflict-affected Northwest Region, he traveled hundreds of miles to participate. “Coming here and taking part in this race gives us hope for peace and stability,” he said.

For years, Cameroon’s Southwest and Northwest regions have been struggling in an armed separatist conflict. The capital of the Southwest Region, Buea, where the race takes place, has seen separatist activity. In 2023, multiple explosions during the event injured 19 athletes.

This year, however, the atmosphere was markedly peaceful. John Berinyu, who arrived early in the morning to watch the race, said: “This race is a complete success. Unlike in previous editions, where people were afraid of bombings, lockdowns and shootings, the population came out in their numbers to witness the event.”

“There were no explosions, no shootings. It is a good sign. We sincerely hope that this peaceful atmosphere will continue,” Berinyu hinted.

On the eve of the race, hundreds of people gathered at Molyko Stadium for festivities highlighting Cameroon’s rich cultural diversity. Among them was Vanessa Njie.

“This cultural event is my favorite part of the race. It brings Cameroonians together, and we forget our differences and just live like humans, like a country in peace. This race is helping us take a breather from daily violence,” Njie said.

For authorities, the race underscored the vital role sport can play in fostering reconciliation among divided communities.

As in previous years, the event carried the theme “Give Peace a Chance” to promote peace and forgiveness, said Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, Cameroon’s minister of sports and physical education, who presided over the race.

“Peace is precious. We will continue to ask young people to embrace peace. This year was a resounding success. The peaceful ending of this race means that Cameroonians in the Southwest have demonstrated their love for peace and unity of the country,” Kombi said.

Culled from Xinhuanet

Cameroon national football team could be on the verge of bolstering its ranks, as four talented dual-nationality players have publicly expressed their desire to represent the Indomitable Lions.

While the Indomitable Lions will not feature at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the squad continues to attract interest from players eager to contribute to the national setup.

Among those seeking to don the green, red, and yellow jersey is Franco Tongya, a 23-year-old midfielder who currently plays for Gençlerbirliği FK in the Turkish Süper Lig. Tongya, who also holds Italian nationality, has chosen Cameroon as his international destination and is keen to make an impact on the national stage.

Oliver Kamdem, a right-back with French and Cameroonian nationality, has similarly declared his ambition to play for the Indomitable Lions. Kamdem, who currently represents Levski Sofia in Bulgaria, sees international duty with Cameroon as a key milestone in his career.

Defensive reinforcements are also in sight, with Lilian Njoh, a left-back playing for Servette FC, openly expressing his desire to commit to Cameroon despite being born in France.

Adding attacking depth, Yonis Njoh, a 22-year-old striker at Viborg FF, has also signaled his intention to represent the Indomitable Lions, completing a promising quartet of prospective talents.

The willingness of these four players to commit to Cameroon underscores the enduring appeal and competitive potential of the national team, even as it prepares for competitions beyond the World Cup. Their arrival could provide fresh energy, versatility, and international experience to a squad aiming to maintain its stature on the African football scene.

Source: Africasoccer

Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) has suspended four referees and a match inspector following contentious refereeing decisions during a game in the country’s flagship football tournament, the MTN Elite One Championship.

In a statement, FECAFOOT said the match, which was played on the opening day of the championship between Victoria United and PWD of Bamenda, was “marred by clearly questionable refereeing decisions”.

The match, hosted by Victoria United on Sunday, saw four yellow cards shown to PWD Bamenda, two PWD goals disallowed, and three penalties awarded to Victoria United.

“The refereeing quartet and the match inspector who officiated during the said match have been provisionally suspended from all activity pending the conclusion of the ongoing disciplinary procedures,” FECAFOOT said in the statement Monday night.

FECAFOOT said it was also investigating “serious suspicions of match-fixing” in the Dynamo Douala vs AS Fortuna match, played on the same day.

Match-fixing in Cameroonian football has come under the spotlight in recent times, with stakeholders alarmed by the increasing cases of alleged manipulation of results in the country’s MTN Elite One Championship and lower tiers.

“FECAFOOT reaffirms its unwavering commitment to integrity, transparency in competitions, and fair play-values essential to the development of national football. It reiterates that only the outcome on the pitch should be decided,” the statement said.

Source: Xinhuanet