The National Union of Cameroonian Footballers (SYNAFOC) has recently published an alarming report on the salary situation of professional footballers in Cameroon during the first three months of 2026. The SYNAFOC's "Barometer" reveals a significant drop in salary payment rates across the different leagues, raising serious concerns about the financial insecurity of players.
In MTN Elite One, the average salary payment rate fell to 49% in February 2026, meaning that only 6 out of 14 clubs regularly pay their players. The situation is even more critical in Elite Two, where only 4 out of 16 clubs (29%) honor their salary commitments. The Guinness Super League, the women's football league, shows a payment rate of 0% at the time of the report's publication, a situation described as "scandalous" by SYNAFOC, given that salaries are supposed to be covered by a sponsor.
Beyond basic salaries, SYNAFOC also denounces a deterioration in the payment of bonuses, an essential source of income for players. In Elite One, only 81% of training bonuses and 71% of match bonuses are paid. The figures are similar in Elite Two, with 75% and 61% respectively. Only the Guinness Super League shows a 100% payment rate for bonuses, but this figure contrasts with the total lack of salary payments.
SYNAFOC also accuses certain clubs of fraudulent practices aimed at obtaining state subsidies. According to the union, the amounts actually paid to players are lower than those indicated in the contracts submitted to FECAFOOT, the Cameroonian football federation. "The conditions of male and female footballers have never been as bad as they have been for the past 4 years," laments Daniel Blaise Ngos, Secretary General of SYNAFOC.
SYNAFOC openly criticizes FECAFOOT, which it considers to be a mere "facade policeman" and accuses it of "opaque governance" and conflict. The union believes that the current situation is the result of mismanagement and a lack of transparency within the federation.
Despite these alarming findings, SYNAFOC draws a positive assessment of its "Barometer", which celebrates its first anniversary in March 2026. The union believes that this tool has helped to highlight the problems of salary payment and to raise awareness among Cameroonian football stakeholders of the need to respect players' rights. In March 2026, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismissed the appeal lodged by SYNAFOC in its dispute with FECAFOOT.
In parallel, SYNAFOC signed a partnership agreement in March 2026 with the Sports Professions School of the National Youth and Sports Institute (EMS/INJS). The aim is to offer training courses adapted to the constraints of top-level athletes, in order to support them in their professional retraining.
The precarious financial situation of professional footballers in Cameroon highlights the challenges facing local football, despite the talent and passion of the players. SYNAFOC will continue to play its role as defender of players' rights, denouncing abuses and proposing solutions to improve their living conditions.
