AFCON 2023: Rigobert Song Explains Samuel Eto’o’s Influence in Cameroon’s Dressing Room

• Samuel Eto'o has grabbed the headlines for the wrong reasons in the last few weeks
• Eto'o, who is the president of Cameron's Football Federation, was criticized for his management style
• Cameroon coach Rigobert Song has cleared the air about Eto'o's role in the dressing room

Cameroon coach Rigobert Song has clarified the influence of Samuel Eto'o on the dressing room.

A few weeks ago, reports emerged that Song and Eto'o, who is the president of the country's football federation (FECAFOOT), were at loggerheads.

The federatio0n reportedly rubbished those rumours, and Song has cleared the air ahead of their Round of 16 clash with Nigeria at the 2023 AFCON.

Song and Eto'o were teammates for years with Cameroon, but Song's position as Cameron's head coach has come under heavy scrutiny from the media and fans, per Soccer Laduma.

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Criticism was heightened when they suffered a 3-1 defeat to Senegal in their second group game. They bounced back to beat The Gambia to seal a Round of 16 spot.

While previewing their clash against Nigeria, Song explained Eto'o's role.

“I take responsibility of everything happening in the team. The president is the president of the federation and he’s doing his duties. He’s legitimate to ask questions on what is happening on the ground. When he goes to the dressing room to see the players it’s not to impose anything but advise. He’s the president but still passionate about football. It needs to be understood," via Eric Njiru.

Eto'o took office in 2021 and supervised the five-time African champions to a third-place finish at the Nations Cup on home soil in 2022.

Cameroon are attempting to win their 6th AFCON crown in Ivory Coast. Their performances haven't impressed so far, and are facing a solid Nigerian side.

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Roger Milla on Cameroon vs Nigeria

Sports Brief earlier reported on Cameroon legend Roger Milla weighing in on the Round of 16 fixture between Nigeria and Cameroon.

Milla and Bell were teammates when the Indomitable Lions won the 1984 and 1988 AFCON titles.

“It’s going be an intense game. It’s a game between two brothers, who know each other very well,” he said. “It’s difficult to predict who is going to win the game at the moment.”

Eto'o emotional after Gambia win

Sports Brief also reported on Samuel Eto'o going on an emotional rollercoaster after the Indomitable Lions beat The Gambia to reach the R0ound of 16.

In a video shared on social media after the game, the former Barcelona star joined the celebrations in the team's dressing room, before breaking down in tears as he congratulated the players.