Samuel Eto'o wins CAS appeal to return to CAF election race

CAF’s Governance Committee and Executive Committee had blocked Eto’o’s candidacy in decisions made on 24 and 25 January 2025, prompting the Cameroonian football icon and FECAFOOT to take the matter to CAS.

After a hearing on 3 March 2025, CAS ruled in his favour and instructed CAF to reinstate his name on the list of candidates for the upcoming election on 12 March 2025.

The ruling means the former Barcelona and Inter Milan striker, who currently serves as the president of FECAFOOT, will now have the chance to contest for a seat at the heart of African football governance.

CAS emphasised that its decision only ensures Eto’o’s eligibility, while the CAF General Assembly will have the final say when members vote next week.

Eto’o’s return to the race adds another layer of intrigue to the CAF elections, given his strong stance on reforms and modernisation within African football administration.

CAF has yet to officially respond to the CAS ruling, with a list of candidates seen by SABC Sport naming nine members currently in the running for a spot on the Exco, and 43-year-old is set to become the 10th.

The CAF Executive Committee nominees: Wallace John Karia (Tanzania Football Federation/CECAFA), Mustapha Ishola Raji (Liberia Football Association/WAFU A), Elvis Raja Chetty (Seychelles Football Federation/COSAFA), Sadi Walid (Fédération Algérienne de Football/UNAF), Sobha Mohamad Ally Samir (Mauritius Football Association/COSAFA), Kurt Edwin Simeon- Okraku (Ghana Football Association/WAFU-B), Feizal Ismael Sidat (Federação Moçambicana de Futebol/COSAFA), Alfred Randriamanampisoa (Fédération Malagasy de Football/COSAFA), Bestine Kazadi Ditabala (Fédération Congolaise de Football Association/UNIFFAC [Female Member])

READ: Molefi Ntseki advocates for better CHAN support