Cameroon: Marc Brys Arrives Cameroon to Sign Contract as FECAFOOT Fumes

By Boris Esono Nwenfor

BUEA, Cameroon – 61-year-old Marc Brys has arrived in Cameroon ahead of signing his contract as the new coach of the Indomitable Lions, replacing Rigobert Song. The Belgian, who was most recently at OH Leuven, is the third Belgian to take charge of Cameroon. The last was Hugo Broos, who led the country to its fifth AFCON title in 2017.

“I am glad for the warm reception from the authorities,” Marc Brys said. "I am ready to start my job. I wish to commend the officials for their professionalism in their selection process."

Marc Brys will be assisted by Joachim Mununga and Giannis Xilouris. Former Cameroon striker Francois Omam-Biyik, who featured at three World Cups, was among the extended technical, medical and administrative staff appointed.

The appointment of March Brys and the other technical and administrative staff of the national team by the Ministry of Sports has not gone down well with the Cameroon Football Federation, FECAFOOT, with President Samuel Eto’o saying the decision was taken unilaterally.

Two coaches for Indomitable Lions?

With a cold war brewing between the two institutions, there is a fear that the national team risks being divided into two, with two coaches. Following an emergency meeting on Saturday, FECAFOOT Executive Committee members asked its president to propose an alternative coach for the national team, with a deadline of 72 hours. That timeframe elapses on Tuesday when Samuel Eto'o is expected to name his new coach.

Should Eto'o appoint a new coaching staff it will set in a "serious" football management crisis, said football analyst Joseph Mbah.

"It will mean that the country has one team with two different coaching staffs. This will surely deepen the crisis in the football management body which is already facing criticisms," Mbah

Eyong Macdella, a sports journalist based in Douala said: “Most of the coaches we have had, who were renowned did not have a good time with the Indomitable Lions. Instead, we have managed to do well with lesser-known coaches, like Pierre Lechantre (who won the AFCON in 2000). If this coach has what it takes to bring us back to glory days, and then let us accept it, wait and see.”

“The appointment (from MINSEP) is more harm than good as some persons who worked with Antonio Conceicao and others fired by FECAFOOT have been brought back to the national setup. At the end of the day, my prayer is that this does not inquire the wrath of CAF and cause us dearly. If it does, the football-loving population of Cameroon will suffer for it."

Brys was appointed to replace Rigobert Song, who had guided Cameroon to the 2022 FIFA World Cup and was dismissed in February following Cameroon's poor performance in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.