When Cameroonian football legend and former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Chelsea marksman Samuel Eto’o was elected president of that country’s football federation late last year, it was not just a new day for the federation; it was a monumental turning point for that country as a whole.
Away from his countless achievements on the football pitch, Eto’o’s integrity and influence as football association (FA) president could be felt during the just-ended Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
His arrival has completely changed the once-negative narrative around the Cameroonian FA, and the media’s attention is now no longer on the tainted image of the FA, but on what the future holds for Cameroonian football and her people.
Namibian football great and former Brave Warriors coach Ricardo Mannetti yesterday touched on the growing importance of tapping from the wisdom and influence of retired footballers, especially those who have played the game at the highest level and have acquired the right skills set.
“We could all see it [Eto’o influence], the respect that the Cameroonian FA is now getting, and also just how the people on the ground are feeling hopeful again. The Cameroonian people trust him and you could see they feel a sense of belonging with him at the helm of their football. That is what African football needs at this moment – retired footballers with integrity and a passion to serve their people. Since he took office, Eto’o has been more than just an FA president. He has united the nation and is also placing special emphasis on education through sport,” said Mannetti.
“He has reminded us all that you don’t just have to go into coaching or start an academy once you have retired. He has shown that former footballers can also be great FA presidents and good administrators of the game in various spheres. It is possible for us as retired players to serve excellently in other spaces, not just coaching. At this point in time, African football needs people with integrity and someone whose qualities can transcend across all boundaries.”
Mannetti, who steered the Brave Warriors to their first-ever Cosafa trophy in 2015 and then followed up on that success by winning the Plate section of the same competition in 2016, believes the time is ripe for experienced and well-qualified retired footballers to start vying for management positions in their local FAs.
“If supported, highly-qualified and experienced retired footballers can bring about the desired change and restore the integrity of the FAs and the country as a whole. Eto’o has just proved it. George Weah proved it in Liberia, Didier Drogba proved it in Ivory Coast, and Kalusha Bwalya also proved it in Zambia. Because, if we as retired footballers don’t bring that expertise and exposure on board, we are, in the process, leaving room for anybody with ill intensions to come in and mess everything up,” added the former Santos and Bush Bucks box-to-box midfielder.
– ohembapu@nepc.com.na