Samuel Eto'o

Palace Intrigues
Denis Sassou-Nguesso, Ali Bongo, Mamadi Doumbouya, Alassane Ouattara

Intrigues big and small: every Thursday, Africa Intelligence takes a peek into the corridors of power in Africa and beyond.

CongoDenis Sassou-Nguesso makes a late-night visit to Ali Bongo

GuineaConakry's failed attempt to organise Sidya Touré's funeral

Ivory CoastThe lineup for Dominique Ouattara's grand gala

Africa
How Infantino's FIFA re-election bid won backing

On 29 April in Vancouver, the CAF meeting was quickly wrapped up, with the assembly giving unanimous support to FIFA’s president. Despite unpopular reforms, CAF–FIFA relations are viewed as better than under Joseph “Sepp” Blatter.

Inner Circle | Cameroon
The powerful Joël Monefong grows network in finance minister's orbit

Introduced into the upper echelons of power by Louis-Paul Motaze, the man at the helm of Innovendi Data Technologies has emerged as a discreet yet influential operator straddling Yaoundé and Kinshasa. He has become a pivotal figure in financing port infrastructure and logistics projects.

Africa
Amid CAF crisis, Patrice Motsepe upsets executive committee with untimely meeting

The continental governing body for football in Africa has decided to bring its executive committee together on 29 March, in a meeting that could prove to be crucial. This is also, however, a date that is inconvenient for several of its members, as it falls right in the middle of the international break, when national teams are competing all over the world.

Cameroon
Alliances falter within Chantal Biya's clan

Internal rifts, contested alliances and behind-the-scenes manoeuvring, the first lady's inner circle is showing cracks as a cabinet reshuffle looms.

Cameroon
Samuel Eto'o struggles to secure second term at head of Cameroonian Football Federation

The re-election of the former football player, who is the sole candidate, to the head of FECAFOOT is hitting up against various obstacles, starting with Paul Biya's allies.

Burkina Faso
Bonkoungou's Ouagadougou return in balance

After leaving the country in early 2024, Mahamadou Bonkoungou has been making numerous gestures of goodwill toward the Burkinabé authorities. However, his return to favour with Ibrahim Traoré's junta is not yet a given.

Central African Republic
Sports Minister Doneng loses power struggle with football federation

Héritier Doneng, who is close to Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, pulled a media stunt by trying to impose Rigobert Song as the national football team coach. But he was forced to back down after the country's soccer federation and FIFA opposed the move.

Central Africa
Rejected Confederation of African Football candidates ready appeals

Several candidates up for election to the CAF have had their applications rejected. Two of them have already taken their case to Switzerland's Court of Arbitration.

Cameroon
Samuel Eto'o opponents prepare counter-attack

An appeal is being mounted after the Cameroonian football supremo was fined €200,000.

Cameroon
Fecafoot rift places presidential 'high orders' in spotlight

Aides of Paul Biya see the tug-of-war between the government and football chief Samuel Eto'o as an opportunity to weaken the power of the president's secretary-general, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh.

Cameroon
Samuel Eto'o summoned by Confederation of African Football

The president of the Cameroon Football Federation, Samuel Eto’o, has been summoned to defend himself against allegations of favouritism at the Confederation of African Football (CAF)'s headquarters on 17 April.

Cameroon
Samuel Eto'o nervously awaits publication of new book

The journalist Jean-Bruno Tagne, who led Samuel Eto'o's 2021 election campaign to head the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT), has written a behind-the-scenes story of his relationship with the former international football star.

The New Guard
Chad, Guinea, Sudan

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence spotlights a new generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

Chad Nair Abakar passes from engineer to football ambassador

Guinea Ex-journalist Kourouma polishes his country's image at the EU

Sudan Mayada Adil, the doctor who speaks for Sudanese women