YAOUNDE: Samuel Eto’o hs become the latest former star to rise to the presidency of his national football federation.

The four-time African Footballer of the Year defeated vice-president rival Seidou Mbombo Njoya after the other five candidates all withdrew.

His first challenge will be heading the hosting operation for the African Cup of Nations in January and February.

Eto’o, 40, has promised a wide range of reforms to thrive the sport.

He said: “We have to bring footballers to the centre of our policies. It is our role to ensure that those who play this discipline make a decent living out of it.”

The former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Chelsea star has also promised to construct at least 10 stadiums during his mandate.

Eto’o – Cameroon’s all-time top scorer – joined Spanish giants Real Madrid in 1996 at the age of 16 before loan spells with Leganes, Espanyol and Mallorca.

He signed a permanent deal with Mallorca in 2000, scoring 54 goals in 133 outings to establish himself as the team’s all-time leading scorer.

A move to Barcelona followed in 2004 where the former Cameroon captain won three La Liga titles, helping the Catalans to two European Champions League triumphs in 2006 and 2009, scoring in both finals.

In 2006, Eto’o became the first and only African to win the Spanish Golden Boot after netting 26 times in 34 matches.

The forward scored 108 goals in 144 games for the Nou Camp side before joining Inter Milan in 2009, where he won his third Champions League crown as well as a Serie A title and the Fifa Club World Cup in 2010.

Internationally, Eto’o helped the Indomitable Lions win two successive Africa Cup of Nations in 2000 and 2002 and went on to become the tournament’s record scorer with 18 goals.

In 2000, he guided Cameroon to an Olympic gold medal, scoring in the final.

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