Expert opinion: Why Cameroonian clubs are no longer competitive in the CAF Champions League?

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Foot Africa

·25 September 2025

Expert opinion: Why Cameroonian clubs are no longer competitive in the CAF Champions League?

Exclusive Interview

Cameroonian football struggles on the continental stage

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Canon Yaoundé/@foot-ici-et-ailleurs.

Cameroonian clubs are struggling to remain competitive on the African stage, especially in the flagship competition, the CAF Champions League.

The last Cameroonian triumph in the Champions League dates back to the 1980 edition, when Canon Yaoundé clinched the title with a 3-0 victory in the final against Congo’s AS Bilima.

Speaking to Foot Africa, former Cameroon international Jean Jules Bapidi Fils shared his insights on the reasons behind the freefall of Cameroonian clubs in the CAF Champions League.

We have to admit that Cameroonian football is suffering from poor management by club presidents, who do not treat their players properly when it comes to financial matters.Most of these presidents lack the resources to fulfill their commitments to the players and remain dependent on subsidies from the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT). This has ultimately had a negative impact on the focus of the players, who are unable to fully concentrate on their profession.Also, let’s not forget that many young talents have chosen to leave for Europe at a very young age, which has ended up weakening local clubs who no longer have players capable of making the difference in continental competitions.It goes without saying that this decline of Cameroonian clubs is likely to continue if those in charge fail to establish real professionalism in local football.

The record of Cameroonian clubs in the CAF Champions League

Cameroon boasts five CAF Champions League titles, won by Oryx Douala (1965), Union Sportive de Douala (1979), and Canon Yaoundé (1971, 1978, and 1980).