The National Union of Cameroonian Footballers (SYNAFOC) has recently released alarming figures regarding the non-payment of salaries in Cameroonian football leagues. The data, published on March 28, 2026, reveals a precarious financial situation for many players, with persistent payment delays and unpaid wages.
In MTN Elite One, the Cameroonian first division, the average salary payment rate is estimated at only 49%. This means that less than half of the clubs (6 out of 14) manage to regularly honor their financial commitments to their players. The situation is even more concerning in MTN Elite Two, the second division, where the payment rate drops to 29%, with only 4 out of 16 clubs ensuring the payment of salaries.
The Guinness Super League, the women's football league, faces an even more serious crisis. According to SYNAFOC, no salaries have been paid in this league. This alarming situation highlights the persistent financial difficulties affecting Cameroonian football at all levels.
Non-payment of salaries is a recurring problem in Cameroonian football, despite efforts by the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT) and the government to improve the situation. The payment of state subsidies to clubs is conditional on the presentation of proof of salaries paid to players, but SYNAFOC's figures show that this measure has not yet solved the problem.
Five years ago, Samuel Eto'o set himself the goal of guaranteeing the future of local players. The current situation reveals that there is still a long way to go. SYNAFOC continues to denounce the fraudulent practices of certain clubs which aim to obtain state subsidies by declaring salary amounts higher than those actually paid to the players. The salary situation of Cameroonian footballers remains a major challenge for the development of football in the country.
