Four candidates battle for SW FECAFOOT presidency

Uncertainty now looms in the South West region over who succeeds Mbella Moki Charles as the region’s FECAFOOT boss should he be ousted from the position he has held for over five years.

Following the adoption of the new FECAFOOT statutes last week, the battle for the top job has become complicated and multifaceted for lighthearted contenders; given that the regional bureau will hence compose of representatives from all 6 divisions of the region.

By the time of compiling this report, we gathered that most of the potential candidates had already started campaigning for votes within the region. The Guardian Post gathered that four candidates have so far surreptitiously made known their intentions to run for the regional FEFCAFOOT top job.While some are highly believed to be heavy weights, others have simply been considered as underdogs in the race.

Who is who in the SW FECAFOOT race? By press time, we got reliable information, though not officially confirmed, that the outgoing president, Senator Mbella Moki Charles is bent on grabbing another mandate. Mbella Moki who picked up a second mandate before the Iya Mohammed/FECAFOOT quark mire has been described by football observers in the region as a bona fide leader whose unmatched vision for the game brought plenty of glory to the region.

It was during his mandate that the region had two Division One Clubs at the then MTN sponsored league. Mbella, many believe, if given another mandate especially with the introduction of the new text will change the face of the region’s soccer.

However, critics and independent commentators have blamed the outgoing Mbella Moki-led bureau for the dwindling nature of football in the region. Commentators are advancing the late start of the regional league and lack of match fixtures as some of the Achilles heels of the Mbella Moki-led executive.

Enter Nouck Protus and Eteki Charles These are all heavy weights in the race. They are all well -known club presidents in the region with lots of strides to pride selves of. Contacted via telephone yesterday, Eteki Charles told The Guardian Post that he is still undecided for the race. He however told this reporter that he might go in for the election after due consultation.

Hear him: “My interest will be manifested when the time comes. We just have to think responsibly and avoid making noise. It is important to know all the contours in the elections. I don’t usually work as an individual. I need to consult others to get their opinion. It is true everybody is saying that I should run but understand that it is not a popular vote, it is a collegial vote. That is why I need to look at the contours”.

It should be noted that Eteki Charles was president of Tiko United when they lifted the Cup of Cameroon trophy. He took the club to Division One though the club was later relegated to Division Two. He is the founder of EMSA Tiko, a club that is currently playing the regional league.

Nouck Protus, a tested sports journalist of the state broadcaster on his part remains the oldest club president West of the Mungo. He is the founder and president of Little Foot Sports Academy of Tiko that has trained talented footballers in the country in the likes of erstwhile Lion’s vice captain, Enoh Eyong and Makon Nloga who plays for Esperance of Tunis.

He created Union Bolifamba, Benyoh FC and later Tarzan FC of Mutengene. Nouck has been communication officer for Young Sports Academy and Bali United, all North West club sides. As candidate for the race, Nouck is of the belief that those managing football in the region seem to have lost interest in the game.

Barrister Agbor Balla, we have been hinted, is another candidate on the starting block. He is the president of Buea United. Though a new comer in the football arena in the region, Agbor Balla, many say, has the prowess of a manager and leader. He seems to be pregnant with ideas that could move the region’s football ahead.