Naomi Eto scored 3 goals as Cameroon reached the knockout stages of the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup for the first time
BUEA, Cameroon – At just 20 years old, Naomie Eto is the leading figure of Cameroon's U-20 team. In Colombia, she made a mark with three goals in four matches. She quickly became the sensation of the tournament and the new star of African women's football. Her meteoric rise surprises no one in Cameroon, where the young star is known for her early talent and fierce determination.
The Cameroonian forward stole the spotlight with her electrifying skills, goal-scoring ability, and leadership, as she guided Cameroon through an impressive campaign in the tournament, captivating fans and pundits alike. Eto’s combination of speed, finesse, and finishing prowess has not only written her into the history books but also solidified her status as one of the brightest young talents in Cameroon.
Destiny written from birth
It was in a modest neighbourhood in Yaoundé, that Naomie grew up, and very quickly, football became her escape and passion. From adolescence, she played in the streets with the boys in the neighbourhood, dribbling and juggling with rare ease for a girl her age. "I remember when the boys played, they needed someone to fetch the ball. But instead of just giving it back, I would start juggling," she recalls with a smile to Fifa.com. Her ball control quickly caught her attention, and soon, she joined local teams.
Naomie's prowess on the field quickly attracted the attention of recruiters from the Roger Milla Football Academy (RMFA). It was there that she truly began to forge herself as a professional player. But it wasn't without difficulties. Her mother, Patricia, was hesitant about her only daughter embarking on such an uncertain career." My mother was afraid for me, she wanted me to focus on my studies. But I understood that football was my life," confides Naomie.
Her determination and hard work paid off. Naomie quickly joined the Forces Armées et Police (FAP) team, one of the biggest clubs in Yaoundé. There, she continued to impress. Very quickly, she positioned herself as one of the best players in the national women's championship. Her first season in the elite earned her the title of revelation of the year, a distinction that confirmed her immense potential. Naomie's performances with the Amazone FAP did not go unnoticed.
In January 2024, during the decisive qualifying match for the World Cup against Egypt, Naomie was appointed captain of the U-20 Lionesses by coach Hassan Balla.
Captain. Leader. Goal scorer
In 2021, she was called up to the national team to participate in the qualifiers for the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) against Kenya. Although Cameroon was eliminated in the penalty shootout, Naomie did not give up. She bounced back spectacularly by leading the U-20 team to a historic qualification for the World Cup in Colombia, a first for the Indomitable Lionesses in this category.
In January 2024, during the decisive qualifying match for the World Cup against Egypt, Naomie was appointed captain of the U-20 Lionesses by coach Hassan Balla. This symbolic gesture placed on her shoulders the responsibility of leading her team to Colombia. Eto lived up to this trust, leading her team to a 4-2 victory in the first leg and a 1-1 draw in the return leg, thus securing qualification for the World Cup.
At the World Cup, Naomie continued to impress. Against tough teams like Mexico and Australia, she displayed leadership, talent, and maturity, scoring two goals in three group stage games. However, despite her third goal in the competition against Brazil in the knockout stages, Cameroon was eliminated by Brazil after extra time.
For Cameroon, a country where women’s football is still fighting for equal recognition and resources, Eto’s success story symbolizes hope and progress. Her performances at the U-20 World Cup have brought international attention to the talent emerging from the country and have reignited calls for greater investment in women’s football at all levels. With continued support and development, players like Naomi Eto could lead the charge in making Cameroon a force to be reckoned with in women’s football on the global stage.
