Africa Hero

One of Africa’s greatest sportsmen and footballer, Samuel Eto’o Fils has been speaking about his life after football, his future plans, philanthropy, and how he hopes to impact the next generation of young Africans. In an exclusive interview with Agence France Presse over the week, Samuel Eto’o ruled out the possibility of getting involved in politics outright, saying he would prefer exploring options in first starting his coaching career with younger footballers.

The legendary footballer who retired from active football in September is one of the most decorated footballers in the world and Africa in particular. In his over 20 years of playing football, Eto’o won 18 major trophies, including two Champions Leagues with Barcelona and another with Inter Milan. He also won the Africa Cup of Nations twice with Cameroon as well as Olympic gold in 2000. He also won the Spanish La Liga, Italian Serie A, the English Premiership and a host of other individual accolades. He however, did not win the Ballon d’Or but insists that this does not hang his belief and pride in his accomplishments. “I don’t need to lay claim to anything, it’s just a fact. Whether you accept it or not, it’s a fact,” he said. Adding that “when I look at where I came from and how far I got, I tell myself that I am entitled to be proud. That doesn’t mean I am big-headed, far from it. It is just that, in this world, people like puppets and I don’t accept being one.”

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According to him, “everyone wants me to go into politics, but there won’t be 10 million George Weahs,” explaining why he does not see politics as an option for him, he noted that everyone is born with their own star. Everyone at some point gets involved in politics at their own level, but, for the moment, it doesn’t interest me. Eto’o who got some flak from his fans for backing President Paul Biya of Cameroon who has ruled the country for 37 years, before his re-election in 2018 said that a lot of people might be saying that it’s an idea I have, but I say to them it doesn’t exist in my mind at the moment. He however added that every citizen has the right, “if you want to stand, nobody is going to stop you. But in our country it is as though it is something reserved for certain people. Personally it is not an objective.”

Speaking on his fondest memories in football, he pointed out that his first Africa Cup of Nations in 2000, won in Lagos, Nigeria was his fondest. According to him, “it was my first AFCON, an unforgettable moment, and I had come away from the 1998 World Cup in France with the hope of making history,” he said. “I wasn’t a starter in that magnificent team but in the end I worked my way into the side and contributed. It is a beautiful memory.” Eto’o went on to play in four World Cups with the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon but never got beyond the group stages.

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He is regarded as part of Cameroon’s golden generation of footballers that featured the rugged Rigobert Song, the late Marc-Vivien Foe and Geremi. On his legacy in football, he believes he has helped in grooming some players for the next generation especially the Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana who emerged from the Eto’o Foundation. The two-time Africa Cup of Nations winner says he wants to move into coaching, although he has also taken a role with the Confederation of African Football. “My role is to lobby the different federations to convince them to adhere to the work being done by president (Ahmad) Ahmad,” he said.

Speaking on his coaching career, he said “I would like to coach in Europe and then one day return to Africa and win there. I don’t know how to lose. I am lucky to have made history at different clubs. I have a lot more doors open to me than others, but you need to be prepared” he added. He noted that he would like to learn, have all the qualifications, understand how things work either in his own businesses or in his future career, in order to come back in 12 or 24 months and start a new career, which he hopes will be just as beautiful.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry.