Samuel Eto’o, FECAFOOT president, while speaking with the Indomitable Lions players as they prepare to face Egypt charged them to prepare for “war”
By Kehinde Okeoeo
Egypt manager Carlos Queiroz has taken exception to the description of their game against the Indomitable Lions as “war”, saying Cameroon’s federation president Samuel Eto’o, who made the comment did not learn from the stampede that led to the loss of life and injured several others.
Egypt and Cameroon will square off at the Olembe Stadium on Thursday — only 10 days after eight people lost their lives and 38 were injured, during a stampede outside of the venue ahead of Cameroon’s last-16 win over Comoros.
According to ESPN, Samuel Eto’o In a video shared by the team’s media outlet FECAFOOT TV following Cameroon’s 2-0 quarterfinal victory over Gambia, was seen advising the team as they prepare for the clash against the Pharaohs of Egypt.
“We have one objective, our next [game], it’s Thursday
“Everything you’ve done, you need to capitalise on it. Prepare yours, because it will be a war, my guys, a war.
“That’s how you have to get fired up for this one — a war.” he said
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Reacting to the comment, while speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Queiroz said the comments by Eto’o were “unfortunate.” And insisted they are not going to war but a joyful occasion.
He said, “It’s an unfortunate comment and a very bad message to the people of Cameroon,” Queiroz said. “I think he forgot that Cameroonian people died at the stadium several days ago, and so making this declaration of war before one game shows that he learned nothing from his time in professional football.
“It was a very, very unfortunate comment, because football is not about war, it’s about celebration, joy and happiness.
“We are going to answer to war with football, we’re going to answer football with joy,” he continued. “We’re here to please the people, not to make people die, but to give them fun and some joy.”
Despite moving one quarterfinal from the Olembe Stadium while an investigation into the cause of the deadly stampede was taking place.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced on Sunday that the Cameroon-Egypt semifinal would take place at the Olembe Stadium if additional safety measures were implemented before the game.
Meanwhile, Eto’O who made the remark which infuriated the Egypt gaffer won two AFCON trophies and an Olympic gold medal with the Indomitable Lions, he also won several club honours while playing for Barcelona.