Cintia A. , Lebledparle.com
This is another setback for the Cameroon Football Federation. Although the statistics began a year before Samuel Eto’o took over at Fecafoot, during the four years of the executive’s reign since December 2021, the Cameroonian league has not show signs of recovery under his administration. According to the latest five-year rankings published by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), consulted by Lebledparle Sport, Cameroon’s first division championship is last in the top 20 best leagues in Africa. Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, South Africa and Tunisia occupy the top five places.
Since 2020, Cameroon’s organisation and playing style have been no match for countries such as Angola, DR Congo, Tanzania and Nigeria, reasons why no single Cameroonian club has entered a continental competition.
Cameroon football in downward spiral
This CAF ranking, which covers the period between 2020-2021 and 2024-2025, confirms the ongoing crisis reigning in Cameroon football, especially local football. The professional championship has suffered a lamentable decline, struggling to regain its former glory. Iconic clubs such as Canon Yaoundé and Coton Sport Garoua have had no influence on the continental stage for the past five years. For the 2024-2025 season, Victoria United, the reigning Cameroon champions, exited the first round of the CAF Champions League, beaten by Samartex in the first round.
A championship under the yoke of instability
Looking at the Egyptian, Moroccan, Congolese and Tanzanian championships, it is safe to say that there is plenty to play for, with good infrastructure supporting their growth. In contrast, unlike the Cameroon’s Elite One, continues to search for proper venue to host its matches in the 21st century. Not only are inadequate infrastructure having an impact on the league, but the main players are struggling to earn their daily bread from the sport.
With the arrival of Samuel Eto’o in 2021, who had based his project on improving the living conditions of the players, we thought we were out of the woods. But so far, such problems persist. In addition to the players, the referees are demanding their pay for the past few seasons. One wonders whether Samuel Eto’o fooled the population or whether he is saving the best for last as his term of office comes to an end this year. Either way, Cameroon football is in its death throes and the sooner reforms are implemented, the better the chances are of reviving the country’s football legacy.
