AFCON
VIDEO: ETO’O PAYS GLOWING TRIBUTES TO HIS HOME TOWN IN A CNN DOCUMENTARY
In a CNN special airing Samuel Eto’o, who is often regarded as one of the greatest African footballers of all time, invited the global network on a rare trip to his hometown of Douala, Cameroon.
CNN’s African Voices Changemakers accompanied Eto’o through the district of New Bell, where he spent formative years in Douala.
Eto’o explained how much his neighbours helped shape his career before he left for Real Madrid at the age of 16.
In the programme, the residents of New Bell formed a human chain around Eto’o as he discussed how he avoided the local prison to instead follow his dream of a career in professional football.
Following his retirement last year, the Cameroonian legend reflected on his many achievements in the game, which included spells at FC Barcelona, Inter Milan and Chelsea. Eto’o also outlined his plans for life after football, including his role in mentoring the next generation of footballers in Cameroon.
Click here to watch the full programme:
Now adapting to his new role off the pitch, Eto’o explained how he is using his fame to help the lives of Douala’s residents. CNN joined Eto’o for a tour of Douala’s largest public hospital, where he has funded a new children’s ward.
Here is excerpts of CNN discussion with Eto’o
Eto’o on returning to his neighbourhood of New Bell in Douala:
“I grew up in the hands of people you saw yesterday. Some are my paternal uncles and others are elders are in the neighbourhood who took care of me in my teens; who would advise me because they felt I had something, and I could get out. It is from here that I left directly to Real Madrid. Directly from here, this is where my life changed. If we go a little further, we will see that the Central Prison is nearby. It seemed more likely that I would end up in that prison.”
Eto’o on retiring from football after more than two decades in the game:
“I felt accomplished. You know I had a very good time, I could still play two seasons, why even three because I was still in shape. But I had already done full circle [sic]; my passion whenever I went to train or went to a match was still intact. But at some point, I asked myself: ‘If I cannot serve football differently, that I can be able to take care of myself and spend more time with my family?’”
Eto’o on what he considers to be the highlight of his career:
“The African who went from nowhere to the top… That is my greatest pride because the success rate for an African in this world is 0.0001%. And from where I started, to get to the point where you are considered one of the biggest in your domain, I tell myself, I am proud, I can walk head held high because I came a long way to get here and I made it.”
Eto’o on seeing his neighbours in Douala for the first time in years:
“The fact that those young children, those grandparents, those parents came out to tell me ‘My son, thank you for dropping by,’ warmed my heart and for me it was also a way to tell them that ‘Even if you do not see me very often, I am here. You are a great part of my life; my body and I’ll always be there for you.’… It is not easy to always have people cheering you. The good fortune that I have is that everywhere I go people have the feeling that I belong to them.”
Eto’o on life after football and the children’s ward he has built at Douala’s Laquintinie Hospital:
“I think that is the purpose of my life. To contribute to the development of our society by helping the state and Cameroonians to have a building where people can come and say: ‘Here we can go home in good health’. I say there is no better goal than that.”
Eto’o on nurturing the next generation of Cameroonian players:
“What I can be today is a mentor. The journey they are about to do – with a lot of luck – we did. So, what we can do today is to give advice and to be beside them, because at this age there are a lot of doubts. At certain periods of their career, there would be doubts, questions and this is where they can rely on us for quick responses to get them out of these doubts.”
Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe has praised Morocco’s King Mohammed VI for what he described as a powerful gesture of unity and reconciliation following the royal pardon granted to Senegalese supporters convicted over offences linked to the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a statement released on Saturday, Motsepe expressed deep appreciation on behalf of CAF’s 54 member associations, hailing the Moroccan monarch’s decision as a demonstration of football’s ability to foster peace and solidarity across the continent.
“I would like to express our deep gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, for granting His Royal Pardon to the Senegalese supporters convicted of offences relating to the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025,” Motsepe stated.
The CAF president said the pardon reflected Morocco’s enduring commitment to African unity and highlighted football’s growing role as a bridge between nations and cultures.
“CAF has consistently emphasised its commitment to utilise football to contribute to uniting our people from different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds,” he said.
“The pardon by His Majesty King Mohammed VI is an uplifting and motivating illustration of the power of football to unite and bring our people together in Africa and worldwide.”
Motsepe also revealed that during recent visits to both Morocco and Senegal, he had been struck by the deep historical and cultural bonds shared by the two countries.
“I was amazed and impressed when I was briefed about the historic and extensive ties between the people of Senegal and Morocco,” he added.
The statement further reinforced Morocco’s rising influence within African football, especially after successfully hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and positioning itself as one of Africa’s leading football destinations ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Motsepe also extended CAF’s best wishes to Africa’s representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressing confidence that the continent’s teams would perform strongly on the global stage.
Among the African nations mentioned were Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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By Kunle Solaja.
Former African champions Algeria and Zambia are set for an early showdown after the release of the Group I fixtures for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Algeria host Zambia on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, in what is expected to be one of the headline fixtures of the qualifying campaign, while Togo entertain Burundi in the group’s other opening tie.
The Desert Foxes are favourites to qualify, but Zambia’s growing consistency and Togo’s unpredictability could make the race highly competitive.
Algeria travel to Burundi on Matchday Two before facing Togo in back-to-back encounters across Matchdays Three and Four. Zambia also meet Burundi home and away during the same period.
The potentially decisive fixture comes on March 22, 2027, when Zambia host Algeria in a clash that could determine the final standings.
Group I Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Algeria vs Zambia
- Togo vs Burundi
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Zambia vs Togo
- Burundi vs Algeria
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Algeria vs Togo
- Zambia vs Burundi
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Togo vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Zambia
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Zambia vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Togo
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Togo vs Zambia
- Algeria vs Burundi
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By Kunle Solaja.
African heavyweights Senegal will launch their quest for another Africa Cup of Nations appearance with a home clash against Mozambique in Group J of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
The Lions of Teranga, among the continent’s strongest teams in recent years, headline a group that also includes Sudan and Ethiopia.
Senegal host Mozambique on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, while Sudan tackle Ethiopia in the other opening encounter.
Senegal are strong favourites to dominate the group, but Sudan and Mozambique are expected to battle fiercely for qualification points.
The key fixtures may emerge in the double-header between Senegal and Sudan across Matchdays Three and Four, while Mozambique and Ethiopia also face each other home and away.
Senegal travel to Mozambique on Matchday Five before ending their campaign at home against Ethiopia on March 30, 2027.
Group J Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Senegal vs Mozambique
- Sudan vs Ethiopia
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Mozambique vs Sudan
- Ethiopia vs Senegal
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Senegal vs Sudan
- Mozambique vs Ethiopia
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Sudan vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Mozambique
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Mozambique vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Sudan
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Sudan vs Mozambique
- Senegal vs Ethiopia
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