Eto'o Reveals Cameroon Almost Quit: AFCON 2025 Quarterfinal Chaos and a Coach’s Bold Protest

Key Moment

Samuel Eto'o, head of the Cameroonian Football Federation, revealed the tough moments his country's delegation faced in the AFCON 2025 quarterfinal against Morocco.

Cameroon were defeated 0-2 by Morocco in the quarterfinal, with goals from Ibrahim Diaz in the 26th minute and Ismaïl Sibaïri in the 74th.

In an interview with France 24, Eto'o said: "I don’t want to level accusations at referees; they are human and err like anyone else, but I urge CAF to study the matter closely and take steps to improve performance going forward".

Aftermath and Reactions

He revealed: emotions ran high during that match, to the extent that a close associate suggested an immediate withdrawal, and he admitted such a move could have surfaced in a moment of heat.

Eto'o praised Senegal coach Papi Thiow for a bold withdrawal protest at a controversial penalty (awarded to Ibrahim Diaz), before the team returned to the field thanks to Sadio Mané's intervention, with the title decided in extra time by Papi Jay.

The Cameroonian federation president described the move as true courage in defending the team's rights, saying: "Senegal deserved the trophy in the end".

He added: "Personally I faced a four-match ban from CAF, despite my rejection of withdrawal".

CAF suspended Eto'o, the Cameroonian federation chief, for four matches and fined him $20,000 for "improper conduct" and violent protests against the officiating in the Cameroon-Morocco quarterfinal.

Punchline 1: If quitting a match were a tactic, Cameroon would own the playbook. Punchline 2: In AFCON, emotions run hotter than pepper soup—CAF, keep the receipts.