A shocking scandal has rocked Cameroonian football after reports emerged that a club president allegedly kidnapped and tortured his own player. The accused, Valentin Nkwain, president of Victoria United, is said to have detained goalkeeper Eric Djomeni for three days over allegations of match-fixing.
Allegations of Kidnapping and Abuse
According to reports from Afrik Foot via Soccer Laduma, Nkwain ordered Djomeni to be held against his will, accusing him of betting on his own team’s matches. The goalkeeper initially denied the claims in a video statement but later, a relative released footage where Djomeni detailed his harrowing experience.
“I’ve been kept at his house for three nights already. I don’t feel safe talking about it,” Djomeni reportedly stated. A formal complaint has since been filed against Nkwain, with the Cameroonian footballers’ union (SYNAFOC) condemning the incident as a gross violation of human rights.
Football Corruption in Cameroon
This latest scandal adds to a growing list of controversies in Cameroonian football, which has been plagued by match-fixing allegations. Samuel Eto’o, president of the country’s football federation (FECAFOOT), has also been embroiled in accusations of manipulating league results. In 2023, he was investigated for allegedly arranging for Victoria United to be promoted to the top division.
Reports from The Guardian suggest that audio recordings and messages implicating Eto’o in match-fixing have surfaced, though both he and Nkwain have denied any wrongdoing. Despite these allegations, Eto’o’s resignation was rejected in February 2024, allowing him to continue leading the federation amid ongoing scrutiny.
A Pattern of Scandals
Cameroonian football has faced multiple integrity issues in recent years, including accusations of age fraud among players and disciplinary disputes on the national team. During the 2022 World Cup, star goalkeeper Andre Onana was controversially expelled from the squad following disagreements with the coaching staff.
As investigations into the kidnapping allegations continue, pressure is mounting on FECAFOOT and Cameroonian authorities to address corruption and player safety within the sport. The case of Eric Djomeni raises serious questions about the treatment of footballers and the unchecked power of club officials in Cameroon.