Roger Milla destroys Onana following his exit on the boss between Brys and Eto'o

Retired player, Roger Milla, believes that the captain of the Indomitable Lions as well as the goalkeeper must get involved in the current crisis between the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) and the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education.

During his intervention on Radio Sport Info this Friday, Cameroonian football legend Roger Milla did not mince his words in strongly criticizing the recent statements of goalkeeper André Onana. The latter had stated, during the press conference preceding the Cameroon-Namibia match in Garoua, that Marc Brys, the coach, was their hierarchical superior. A position that deeply annoyed Milla.

“Players who talk nonsense! How can we say that Marc Brys is the boss of the players? Where have we seen that? In which country is a coach considered the boss of the players? Is this a joke or what?” exclaimed the former international with great indignation. Roger Milla continued by questioning the current management of Cameroonian football: “Are we regressing to the point of becoming a 19th century football country, or even 1800? And even then, it was better managed!” he added, visibly outraged.

With these remarks, Roger Milla not only deplores the attitude of some players, but also expresses his concern about the state of football governance in Cameroon. His criticism raises questions about the relationship between players and their management, while reflecting a frustration with what he perceives as a deterioration in the discipline and organization of national football.

Roger Milla does not spare Vincent Aboubakar either

On the airwaves of the same station, roving ambassador Roger Milla also expressed his displeasure with the captain of the Indomitable Lions, Vincent Aboubakar. Milla criticized the captain for not fully assuming his role as leader in the team. “They are the real bosses of the team, and a captain must know how to bang his fist on the table to say that enough is enough. Instead, they are simply pushed to speak badly of the president of Fecafoot,” he said firmly.

With these remarks, Roger Milla points out what he considers to be a lack of authority on the part of the captain and other leaders of the team, while denouncing an external influence which, according to him, encourages players to criticize the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) rather than focusing on managing the team's internal problems.

Many Cameroonians have reacted strongly to Roger Milla's criticism

Many Cameroonians reacted strongly to Roger Milla's criticism of André Onana and Vincent Aboubakar, questioning the legitimacy of his remarks. Among them, Cameroonian columnist Célestin Biake Difana was indignant, declaring: “Has he ever been a captain? What does he know about this function, he who has always been assisted? And they gossip. Frankly, time shapes real lazy people.”

Corneille Tegomo, for his part, expressed his disappointment at the attitude of some emblematic figures of Cameroonian football, deploring a lack of respect. “Some of our icons do not respect themselves. Then, we are surprised that the coach responds to these criticisms. However, these same icons are not capable of setting an example,” he said.

Franck Michael, in a more direct tone, invited Roger Milla to let the new generation evolve freely. “Your era is over, let others live theirs fully. You are stifling the players and the coach. If you have a problem, contact the Minister of Sports and the teams, and leave the players alone. The Minister of Sports chose the coach, the coach selected the players, and the players respect the one who gave them the opportunity to be there. The coach, for his part, respects the one who pays him. If you want to attack someone, target the ministry and the 2015 convention,” he stressed.