Okocha, Amokachi, and others warned against attending football tournament in Cameroon

• Eto’o invited international football stars including those in Nigeria to the tournament to promote relationships and football development in Cameroon

Nigeria’s football stars invited by the President of Cameroonian Football Association, Samuel Eto’o for a ceremonial tournament holding in Victoria City, Cameroon, on Thursday 30 November 2023 have been warned by a separatist group against honouring the invitation.

The warning was issued in a voice message sent by one Comrade Chris Anon who claimed to be head of the Ambazonia Interim Government based in the United States of America.

Eto’o invited international football stars including those in Nigeria to the tournament to promote relationships and football development in Cameroon.

The Restoration Fighters of the Ambazonia Interim Government, who are agitating for the independence of Southwest Cameroon, warned Nigeria’s former national football skipper, Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Daniel Amokachi and other ex-Super Eagles stars not to honour Eto’o’s invitation.

They emphasized that their security will not be guaranteed if they ignore the warning.

Anon described the tournament as a mockery of the Ambazonian people.

The separatist group has ordered a total lockdown on Victoria City and entire Fago County on the said Thursday 30 November 2023.

The group warned residents to stay indoors, stressing that violation of the order would be met with death.

Parts of the voice message stated, “The Restoration Fighters of Ambazonia Control Victoria and entire county and are committed to ensuring the lockdown. Our determination to safeguarding the integrity of Ambazonia independence struggle will not be deterred. We show no mercy for any persons who attempt to disregard the lockdown.

“It is essential to emphasise the severity of the situation and to caution against actions that could be misconstrued as aligning with any forms of propaganda.

“The football match proposed by Samuel Eto’o is very controversial; it is a misguided and insensitive initiative.

“That decision to involve international players from Nigeria is deeply troubling.

“The timing and location of the tournament give rise to suspicions.

“We seriously and strongly caution Jay Jay Okocha, Daniel Amokachi and others who are promoting and preparing to participate in the tournament to reconsider their involvement as their participation may unintentionally result in bloodshed.

“We cannot help but question Samuel Eto’o’s decision to organize this tournament in Victoria, an Ambazonia territory that has been marred by war for over seven years, for which 30,000 Ambazonians have been killed.

“It raises legitimate concerns about potential exploitation of the situation for purposes that are not in the best interests of Victoria and Ambazonia in general.”