Cameroon Controversy – National Legend Makes Controversial Choice Ahead of AFCON

Cameroon Legend Accused of Influencing Vincent Aboubakar's Exclusion from AFCON Squad

You all remember Samuel Eto’o, right? A finisher of legend, a three-time Champions League winner, a Cameroon icon, and a marksman for some of the best teams on the planet, including Barcelona, Inter Milan and my beloved Chelsea.

The only player to win back-to-back trebles with two different clubs.

Celebrating legendary striker Samuel Eto’o on his birthday 👏 pic.twitter.com/60WocdzGPV

— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 10, 2024

Long since retired, many assumed Eto’o’s time in the headlines was finally over, that the African striker would finally settle quietly into retirement. Well, those of you who made that prediction, hang your heads in disappointment, because “Little Milla” is back in the news, although not for reasons you might think.

His re-emergence concerns the Cameroon national team, specifically a controversial squad selection that the legendary striker is rumoured to have had influence over. As president of FECAFOOT (Fédération Camerounaise de Football), Eto’o now wields considerable power over his country’s international fortunes, and reports have emerged that he is applying his power in controversial circumstances.

What is Eto’o Being Accused Of?

With the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) beginning in earnest next weekend, countries across the continent are cutting and conditioning their respective squads to give their nation the best chance of continental glory. In the case of Cameroon, that included the surprise omission of Vincent Aboubakar.

🚨 Samuel Eto'o is accused of dropping striker Vincent Aboubakar from Cameroon’s Afcon squad to stop him from breaking Eto’o’s scoring record, as per The Sun.

· According to reports, Eto’o, now president of the Cameroonian federation, allegedly influenced the decision to omit… pic.twitter.com/hKh6jJQJhg

— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) December 11, 2025

The former Porto, Besiktas and Al Nassr forward has been a staple of the international side since his debut in 2010, earning 117 caps, so naturally, his surprise exclusion from the team has led to heavy speculation over why he was left out.

It didn’t take long for the finger to be pointed at the nation’s football president. In usual circumstances, Eto’o would have no power when it comes to squad selection, with this responsibility falling to manager David Pagou; however, according to the Sun, Eto’o, despite having no direct power or influence over first-team selection, played a big part in Aboubakar’s exclusion.

The alleged reason behind it? Well, let’s just say it’s petty at best. The Sun further reported that the reason Eto’o lobbied to leave out Aboubakar was to prevent the 33-year-old from breaking Eto’o’s long-standing international record. Sounds mental, right?

Are the Accusations Legitimate?

We can certainly see why Eto’o would be concerned about his goal record - not to be unkind to Aboubakar, but his predecessor was a far superior player, and paved the way for a total revamp to the Cameroon national team. To have an inferior player surpass his record wuld, at least in a personal context, feel like an insult.

With that being said, records exist to inspire the next generation, not to hold them back, and if this rumoured reason indeed proves to be true, Eto’o would go from a national hero to something of a pantomime villain, perhaps even just a straightforward villain.

So, are Eto’o’s concerns actually valid? At the time of writing, Aboubakar has scored 45 goals in his 117 appearances for his country. In one more appearance, Eto’o bagged an extra 11 goals, with his tally totalling 56 goals. 11 goals behind the record, there is a good chance that even with a spot in the Cameroon AFCON squad, Aboubakar would do little to close this gap.

When Samuel Eto'o of Cameroon 🇨🇲 scored a perfect hat-trick for Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League in 2005.

Eto'o is undoubtedly the best player from Africa.
pic.twitter.com/tgCJqM73sC

— Africa First (@AfricaFirsts) December 6, 2025

At the age of 33, he doesn’t have the explosive pace and movement he once had, and with one goal in his last six games for Azerbaijani club Neftci Baku PFK, his form is not exactly deserving of a spot in the national side anyway.

Furthermore, he has netted just three times for his nation this calendar year, further emphasising the point that perhaps a change is needed up top for the Indomitable Lions.

Different Direction for Cameroon?

Another likely reason for his dismissal from the national side is the existence of several talented prospects who are starting to shine for their respective clubs.

Bryan Mbeumo is the obvious one; the 26-year-old secured a £65 million move to Man United in the summer, and has since netted seven goals in 16 games, making him the first name on the teamsheet ahead of the AFCON.

Alongside him are several younger talents who, after impressing at club level, have worked their way into the squad ahead of Aboubakar. 22-year-old Etta Eyong has been in devastating form for Levante despite limited minutes, and has been touted with the likes of Chelsea, Barcelona and Real Madrid in recent months, while teenager Chistian Kofane has performed well for Bayer Leverkusen this campaign, netting five goals to date.

Only Kylian Mbappe, Robert Lewandowski and Julian Alvarez have scored more goals in La Liga than Levante striker Karl Etta Eyong this season.

The 22-year-old Cameroon forward joined from Villarreal for just €3million in September. Both Barcelona and Real Madrid are now… pic.twitter.com/yNBeWpqyzG

— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) November 11, 2025

Alongside Best’s Eric Ebimbe, Toulouse’s Frank Magri, Almeria’s Patrick Soko, Al Akhdoud’s Christian Bassogog and Al-Diraiyah’s Georges-Kevin N’Koudou, the Cameroon frontline boasts an average age of 29 years of age, four less than Aboubakar.

There is clearly an emphasis on a more youthful frontline from Pagou, and whether Eto’o had a say in the matter or not, the stats tell you that the choice to drop Aboubakar was more than simply a petty measure to protect his goal record.

Peter Drury's commentary is pure magic! That Aboubakar goal against Brazil? Street legends write stories like dis - pure football poetry, no be small thing! 🔥⚽pic.twitter.com/SZu8GNrpN4

— Tobe | Betting tips (@Tobe_Betting) November 14, 2025

The Cameroon frontline looks undoubtedly dangerous, and despite Aboubakar’s big stage credentials (remember that header against Brazil?), Cameroon will only stand a chance with players who are in their prime, rather than those who are slowing down.