Cameroon’s 30,000-Euro Surprise: AFCON’s Most Bizarre Governance Move
24 January 2026
Backdrop of the dispute
In a curious turn of events, a power struggle between Cameroon’s football federation and the Ministry of Sports has grabbed international attention. The Belgian former Cameroon coach, Marc Brys, was awarded a 30,000-euro grant (about 32,000 dollars) even though he did not lead the national team during the latest Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. The decision raises eyebrows and invites questions about who really calls the shots.
The 30,000 euro grant and the coach’s pay
The payout came under the terms of a contract he signed with the federation in 2024 and was issued by the Sports Minister. The move surprised many, especially since the newly appointed coach, David Bagu, who guided the squad to the quarterfinals, has not received any compensation to date.
Administration vs on-pitch reality
Sources indicate the legal oddity stems from the ministry continuing to regard Brys as the official coach on paper, despite Bagu's practical appointment by federation president Samuel Eto'o. This arrangement lets Brys keep his official salary while Bagu remains unpaid, highlighting a mismatch between on-paper authority and on-the-ground reality.
These events illustrate ongoing tensions between the federation and the ministry over appointment and dismissal powers, with administrative battles sometimes outshining on-field achievements.
Punchlines: If politics ran on salary sheets, coaches would finally get their paychecks—just not in time for the bus to the match. In football, when the scoreboard reads admin, the only thing that actually scores is the paperwork—sometimes it’s own penalty.
