French international, Cameroonian born Kylian Mbappé has been in Cameroon since Thursday. Social media users have been asking why he has not had a meeting with Football legend and FECAFOOT President, Samuel Eto’o.
Well, a humanitarian and media Personality, Eric Kouamo, has tried to justify why there has been no meeting between the two stars so far. He blames Kylian Mbappe for coming to Cameroon and deciding not to include Samuel Eto’o and Roger Milla in his program as these two are footballers who cannot be separated from the King Sport.
He writes:
“From a protocol point of view, the official absence of Samuel Eto’o or Roger Milla from the list of personalities met is acceptable, because the top scorer in Ligue 1 is on a private visit. . . But, from a socio-cultural angle, this doesn’t sit well . In Cameroon, Samuel Eto’o and Roger Milla are for football what the skin is for the human body. . .
Their names are inseparable from the king sport. As a result, when your name is Kylian Mbappe and you arrive in your country of origin under the spotlight, these national football references become levers of cultural appropriation and public, societal and social relations. . .
In Africa, respect for elders is an obligation. Far from its cultural dimensions, the notion of respect for elders carries connotations of identity building and appropriation of sympathetic capital. Imagine Kyllian, Eto’o and Roger Milla reunited in pictures! . .
From a communication point of view, the effect would be much more sparkling than with all the stars put together. It is unhealthy to use a guest who comes from afar to settle accounts with Eto’o. The loser is called Mbappe….. I hope he will catch up.
