In the wake of sharp criticism following the premature exit of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, Samuel Eto’o, president of the FECAFOOT, submitted his resignation. This resignation was however rejected by the executive committee of the federation. Amid the tensions, renowned singer Lady Ponce expressed her unwavering support for Eto’o.
The announcement of Eto’o’s resignation attempt on February 5, 2024, caught the entire football world by surprise, a direct reaction following the national team’s defeat by Nigeria in the round of 16 at CAN 2023.
In this charged atmosphere, Lady Ponce has pointed the finger at what she considers to be detractors of the legendary footballer, suggesting a maneuver to remove him from the presidency of FECAFOOT through underhanded attacks. Known for her outspokenness, the artist did not hesitate to slam what she perceives as the duplicity of certain actors in Cameroonian football.
“My beloved brother, how I understand you. They love those who embezzle the public treasury. They hate the young like you who have earned their money honorably. Ever since you’ve been at FECAFOOT, they’ve turned the federation into the presidency of the republic, as if you were the President of Cameroon, to solve their problems. They have created what’s known as a ‘character assassination’ on you to destroy you,” she denounces.
She continued, “Malice has reached another dimension on Cameroonian social media. At all costs, by any means, they want to kill their brother by slandering him, denigrating him morning, noon, and night. As if football can solve 1% of the problems that Cameroon is going through. Morning, noon and night, Eto’o, Eto’o, Eto’o and they are pleased as if you were the offspring of an animal.”
Furthermore, to conclude, Mani Bella has given her support to Samuel Eto’o with a strong message. “My beloved brother, nothing will happen to you. You are a child blessed by God and their hatred towards you will not change who you are and will never take away your blessings. The level of hatred on social media is terrible. The youth who are fixated on a fellow young person while they say they want change. Cameroon is a country that needs rebuilding,” she concludes.
