Nigeria, Cameroun still Africa’s best —Eto’o

African Footballer Of The Year, Samuel Eto'o, says teams participating in the on-going Africa Nations Cup are relieved by the absence of Cameroun and Nigeria.

Eto'o who is in Libreville, Gabon, one of the co-hosts of the 2012 Nations Cup
also expressed satisfaction with the results of first round matches where no team has secured a comfortable victory.

''The talk about this championship is that anything can happen because Cameroun, Nigeria and Egypt are not in the race. Egypt have demonstrated their strength by winning three consecutive times but they looked over their shoulders for the threat of Cameroun and Nigeria.''

The Anzhi of Russia striker added that what makes Cameroun and Nigerian football unique is typical African brand emphasised by technique and athleticsm.

''That is why I don't bother who the coach is, the moment we get to the Nations Cup, we know what to do and the grace of African football is magnified.

Eto'o recalled that Egyptian striker, Mohammed Zidane told him shortly before the 2010 Nations Cup in Angola two years ago that if the Pharaohs could beat either Nigeria or Cameroun, the Nations Cup was theirs for the taking.

On how he feels being a spectator at the Nations Cup, Eto'o said: ''I am enjoying it and spying. Next edition in South Africa I hope to return with the Indomitable Lions'’

Eto'o launches Aids campaign at Afcon

The world's best-paid footballer, Samuel Eto'o, launched an Aids campaign ahead of the opening Africa Cup of Nations match on Monday.

The "3-0: Afcon Without Aids" campaign was initiated by the foundation of the wife of the Gabonese president, Sylvia Bongo Ondimba.

At a press conference ahead of Gabon's group C game against Niger, Eto'o said that Aids was still considered a taboo in Africa.

"We need to change this, we have to talk about Aids. I am pleased to be able to contribute towards this."

The former African Footballer of the Year said that players also needed to be involved in the fight against Aids. "It is not enough to stop at titles, we have to get the message out there."

Michel Sidibe, chief executive of UNAIDS, which is also involved in the project, said that the 3-0 stands for: "Zero infection, zero deaths and zero discrimination."

Sidibe said it made a lot of sense that Eto'o, who plays his club football at Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala, where he reportedly earns 20 million euros (26 million dollars) per year, was involved.

"Eto'o is not only an African icon, he is known throughout the world and especially now that he is playing in Eastern Europe, as that is the area where Aids is developing the fastest."

Eto'o and Bongo Ondimba were in the Stade de l'Amitie, where they were part of a group of dignitaries and children that released 50 000 red and white balloons ahead of the match to publicize the campaign.

Cameroon, whom Eto'o captains, failed to qualify for the 28th edition of the African football showpiece, which is being co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

“CAN without AIDS”: reaching youth with HIV prevention messages at the Africa Cup of Nations football tournament

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé travelled to the West African nation of Gabon on 23 January to lend his support to an innovative campaign launched by the Sylvia Bongo Ondimba Foundation—a charitable organization run by Gabon’s First Lady.

The campaign, called “CAN without AIDS,” uses sports as a platform to reach millions of people with messages on HIV prevention across Africa, particularly youth. Timed with the 2012 Coupe d’Afrique des Nations (or “CAN”)—a football championship co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea—the campaign is supported by Cameroonian football star Samuel Eto’o and Didier Ovono, captain of Gabon’s national football team.

In a meeting at the First Lady’s offices in Libreville, the capital city of Gabon, Mr Sidibé thanked Madam Sylvia Bongo Ondimba for integrating the UNAIDS vision of “three zeroes”—Zero new HIV infections, Zero discrimination and Zero AIDS-related deaths—in the “CAN without AIDS” campaign. He encouraged the First Lady to continue her efforts to strengthen the HIV response in Gabon and across the continent.

“I am very happy to be associated with the President and the First Lady of Gabon in this important campaign,” said Mr Sidibé. “UNAIDS will continue to work with the First Lady’s Foundation beyond the CAN 2012 tournament, and we want young people to respond to our call for a final score of zero,” he added.

After the football tournament ends in mid-February, “CAN without AIDS” will focus on the national HIV response in Gabon, with each quarter of the year dedicated to one of the “three zeroes.” UNAIDS and the First Lady’s Foundation signed an agreement to work together on this country-focused campaign.
Meeting with Gabon’s Head of State

In a separate meeting with President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon on 23 January, Mr Sidibé congratulated the Head of State for his personal engagement in the HIV response—nationally and globally. The UNAIDS Executive Director thanked the President for his participation in the June 2011 UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS, and for his leadership in the adoption of an historic Security Council resolution on AIDS.

During their discussion, Mr Sidibé and President Ali Bongo Ondimba expressed concern over Africa’s dependence on external financing for the HIV response. “The level of development aid is a reflection of our own commitment,” noted President Ondimba. “I am ready to open the debate on AIDS dependency with colleagues to find local solutions,” he added.

An estimated two-thirds of AIDS expenditures in Africa come from external sources. Between 2009 and 2010, international investments for AIDS dropped by 13%.
AIDS advocacy with football star Samuel Eto’o

Later in the day, UNAIDS Executive Director held a joint press conference with Samuel Eto’o at the Agondjé stadium in Libreville. Mr Sidibé emphasized that an international football player like Eto’o can carry a powerful message to young people in Africa and beyond—including Eastern Europe, where the HIV epidemic is growing at a rapid rate.

During the press briefing, Mr Eto’o underscored the need to openly discuss HIV-related issues and to find solutions. “I hope HIV will stop being taboo in our communities,” he said.

The visit to Gabon culminated with a symbolic gesture: the release of 50 000 red and white balloons above the stadium in the presence of the First Lady, Samuel Eto’o, the UNAIDS Executive Director, the Chairperson of the African Football Confederation, Issa Hayatou, and the Director-General of the First Lady’s Foundation, Guillaume Adam.

Eto'o gets support from Cameroon stars in strike row

Two Cameroon internationals have said they will not play for the national team until a 15-match ban imposed on captain Samuel Eto'o is lifted.

Jean Makoun and Benoit Angbwa have written to the country's football federation Fecafoot with the ultimatum.
Eto'o was banned for his role in a strike by the national squad in a row over late payment of appearance fees.
"Do not expect to have us in the team so long as the sanctions have not been lifted," they said.
Vice-captain Enoh Eyong received a two-match ban for his role in the affair.
"The decision [to strike] was that of the entire team - our team-mates were just our spokesmen and we formally denounce the sanctions against them," Makoun and Angbwa said in separate but identical letters, sent through their lawyers.
Jean Makoun has also backed Eto'o over the ban The statement was copied to the Ministry of Sports, who's long-running dispute with Fecafoot was at the root of the problems leading to the original strike.
Makoun plays for Olympiakos in Greece while Angbwa is Eto'o's club colleague at the Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala.
Some fans in Cameroon have also been angered by the ban on Eto'o, which rules him out of qualifying for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and most of the preliminary campaign for the World Cup in Brazil 2014.
Planned protests in Yaounde, scheduled for 24 December, were called off after they were banned by the local authorities because of concerns over public order.
Eto'o himself has not challenged the sanction against him.
Fecafoot paid $500,000 compensation to Algeria's football federation for the costs they incurred over a friendly match which had to be called off following the players strike.

Samuel Eto'o (L) and his wife Georgette

  Samuel Eto'o (L) and his wife Georgette arrive on the red carpet for the screening of the film "The Tree of Life" in competition at the 64th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes May 16, 2011. Twenty films compete at the May 11 to 22 cinema showcase with an impressive roll call of major screen stars, revered "auteur" directors and relative newcomers.

Samuel Eto'o and  Georgette  on the red carpet for the screening of the film "The Tree of Life" in competition at the 64th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes May 16, 2011.

Eto'o for Beckham? Lampard?

The newest big name to emerge as a potential replacement for David Beckham: Samuel Eto'o.

An old name gaining traction: Frank Lampard.

Eto'o first. The National, an English-language daily in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, reports that Major League Soccer has offered $25 million to the superstar Cameroonian striker, with the Galaxy or New York Red Bulls his likely destination.

Eto'o, 30, is paid $25 million annually after taxes by rising Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala, according to media reports. Beckham, whose decision to stay with the Galaxy or accept a contract from Paris Saint-Germain is expected any day, has been MLS's highest-paid player, making $5.5 million in salary each year. His contract with the Galaxy expired Saturday.

It sounds far-fetched. The report claims that MLS “manages the recruitment of overseas players on a league-wide basis,” but the league doesn't do that at all. Rather, all contracts within MLS are with the league, although Designated Player pacts -- such as Beckham's or any contract that Eto'o might consider -- are framed differently than others. In addition, nobody in MLS is going to be paying $25 million to any player.

Anzhi Makhachkala, which in August signed Eto'o to a three-year, $75 million deal from Inter Milan, has reportedly set a $62 million transfer fee for the former Barcelona striker.
There has been speculation and reports of negotiations with several top international stars as Beckham's contract has neared its end, with the Galaxy reportedly interested in, talking to or making offers to, among others, Flamengo's Ronaldinho and Chelsea's Didier Drogba.

Lampard, also at Chelsea, might be the likeliest arrival should L.A. go for the big splash. British tabloid The Sun reported Saturday that Beckham has twice spoken to the midfielder in the past two weeks to encourage his interest.

Lampard, 33, an England national team star who has been a force for Chelsea since 2001, has been repeatedly left out of the Blues' starting lineup this year by new manager Andre Villas-Boas. He's expressed interest in playing in MLS, according to reports in England, and Beckham apparently told him how much he'd love life in Los Angeles.

The Sun says Beckham is leaning toward signing a one-year rolling contract with the Galaxy, and L.A.'s other two Designated Player slots are taken by Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane. But an “MLS source” told the newspaper that there “could be a way around the rules so Lampard could also join.”

Lampard makes $12.1 million annually in salary and would be looking for a similar deal, according to British media reports.