By Bakah Derick
The new President of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) has officially taken over office at the institution's headquarters at the Tsinga neighbourhood in Yaounde. The handing over from the immediate past leader Seidou Mbombo Njoya to Samuel Eto'o Fils took place during a ceremony on Monday 17 January 2022 in the presence of other members of the new executive committee and the federation's personnel.
"Yesterday officially marked my first day as the new president of @fecafootofficiel. Thank you to my predecessor Seidou Mbombo Njoya for passing the baton. I have high hopes of what can be achieved in this next chapter of Cameroonian football." Samuel Eto'o Fils wrote on his social media accounts.
The former captain of the indomitable lions and four times winner of the Africa player of the year award was voted President of Cameroon's football governing body on Saturday 11 December 2021 after a fierce election campaign that saw him beat the incumbent by 41 to 34.
The new football association (FA) leader had already gone into action before the handing over with major decisions taken including the appointment of an interim Secreatey General, holding of executive committee and emergency committee meetings amonsgt others.
The significant handing over event not only confirms the verdict of the ballot box but also gives the new FA leader the right to official representation and actions.
Seidou Mbombo Njoya was voted FECAFOOT President in December 2018 but could not finish a mandate as his election was cancelled by the court of arbitration for sports CAS for irregularities. The Prince of the Bamoun people in the West Region of Cameroon will later be appointmented interim President a function he held until his voting our of office.
Seidou is also 4th Vice President of the African Football Confederation (CAF).