Category: Sports

President Paul Biya assured youths and football lovers in his 2024 Youth Day address that measures will be taken to resolve the inadequacies that the senior national team is currently facing.

The Head of State expressed disappointment in Cameroon’s early elimination from the AFCON 2023.

‘Like me, you were certainly disappointed by the early elimination of our Indomitable Lions from the ongoing Africa Cup Nations in Côte d’Ivoire’ he said.

The President acknowledged that ‘victory does not happen by chance’. He noted that ‘it requires not only talent, but also courage, discipline, organization and hard work.’

Coach Rigobert Song is considered to have failed to build a cohesive team since his appointed as coach of the Indomitable Lions two years ago.

In the ongoing AFCON, his omission of players like Choupo Moting, Fai Collins and benching of others like Andre Onana, Clinton Njie and Vincent Aboubaker when the captain was fit to play after recovering from an injury, raised questions about his competence.

‘
I am aware of the importance of football to you’ President Paul Biya said. ‘In our difficult context, the State is making enormous financial sacrifices in that connection, and is therefore entitled to require better organization and results.’

‘We will see to it’ he indicated. ‘The government and particularly the ministry in charge of sports have received clear instructions in that regard’ the President added.

He quoted Francis Ngannou as an example, saying the MMA fighter represents hard work, courage and discipline.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

For the first time ever, South Africa’s Bafana Bafana clinched the bronze medal in the 2023 AFCON after defeating DR Congo 6-5 on penalties in the 3rd place classification match.

Both sides squandered several goal-scoring opportunities during open play and settled for a draw after regular play before moving to penalties where goalkeeper Ronwen Williams stepped up to make two crucial saves and secure the win for South Africa.

Nigeria vs Ivory Coast AFCON Final preview

The much-anticipated AFCON final between Nigeria and Ivory Coast marks the eighth time these teams are locking horns at the tournament, with a record of three wins for Nigeria, two for Ivory Coast, and two draws.

Ivory Coast’s has had a not-so-jolly ride to the knockouts, requiring extra-time and penalties to secure their place in the final against Senegal and DR Congo, respectively.

However, they have managed to make it to the final under interim coach Emerse Faé, making them the first host nation to do so since Egypt in 2006.

In contrast,
Nigeria has looked a strong contender from the get-go, relying on their solid defence to make it this far, conceding only two goals in six matches (excluding penalties).

While they may not have blown anyone away, their steady progress and consistency make them a formidable opponent in the upcoming final.

In a nutshell, the Super Eagles of Nigeria will be in search of a fourth AFCON title after having played the finals 7 times while Ivory Coast will be looking to add a 3rd title after featuring in the finals 4 times excluding the current edition.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

By Muluh Alfred

The past two editions of the Africa Cup of Nations have been won by African coaches, a pattern which still has a possibility to continue in the 2023 AFCON.

As much as the Super Eagles led by Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro are considered favourites of the final against Ivory Coast, a win by the hosts will maintain the trend.

Since Belgian tactician Hugo Broos lifted the trophy with Cameroon in 2017, only coaches of African origin have emerged champions over the past two editions.

Djamel Belmadi won with Algeria in 2019, while Aliou Cisse gave Senegal their first title in 2021.

A total of 24 coaches participated in the AFCON 2023, with 13 out of the total being of African origin while the rest were foreign coaches.

Surprisingly, of the 13 African coaches who led their teams in the AFCON, 10 of them made it to the round of 16 including coaches from Morocco, Cameroon, and Egypt, Sénégal while six teams led by foreign coaches made it to the round of 16.

As the competition progressed to the q
uarter-finals the numbers evened out, Six home-based coaches and two foreign coaches were eliminated, leaving four of each group going into the quarter-finals.

In the semi-finals, only one home-based coach, the coach of Ivory Coast, qualified. In contrast, three foreign coaches led their teams to the semi-finals, including the head coaches of Nigeria, South Africa, and DR Congo.

Now, as the tournament comes closer to crowning a champion, the exciting final of the AFCON will be contested between coach Jose Peseiro of Nigeria, a foreign coach, and coach Emerse Fae a home based coach who took over Ivory Coast after the group stage.

This tense battle between two respected coaches from distinct backgrounds will add another layer of excitement to the already thrilling tournament as the final match determines this year’s champions of Africa.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Wilson Musa

The dismal performance of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon at the AFCON2023 was not well-digested by Cameroonian football lovers. Many still believe that the country’s Football FA president, Samuel Eto’o had an invisible hand in the Lions’ defeat and brutal exit in the 8th finals.

Cameroonian said he should dismiss underperforming coach, former player, Rigobert Song. But the FA recently held a meeting where they did not mention the issue of Song. Instead, they rejected a supposed resignation from Samuel Eto’o.

Bikutsi singer and songwriter, Adèle Ruffine Ngono, known by her stage name Lady Ponce, on Tuesday said, ‘Enough is enough’ with the Eto’o barging. The woman who is known for her friendship with the former captain of the Indomitable Lions, wondered why Cameroonians are not going after those accused of embezzling money.

‘They love those who embezzle from the public treasury. They hate young people like you who have earned their money with dignity. Since you have been at Fecafoot, they ha
ve transformed Fecafoot into the presidency of the republic, as if you were the president of Cameroon, to solve their problems. They have created what is known as a death sentence on you to destroy you.’ She said in a Facebook post.

The singer also lamented that these insults are being vehiculated on social media with no mercy on Eto’o, adding that there is an urgent need to rebuild Cameroon and the younger generation.

‘You have to kill your brother at any cost, by any means necessary, by smearing him and denigrating him morning, noon, and night. As if football could solve 1% of Cameroon’s problems. Morning noon evening, Eto’o, Eto’o, Eto’o and they are happy as if you were the child of an animal. My beloved brother, nothing will happen to you. You are a blessed child of God and their hatred towards you will never change who you are or take away your blessings.’

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Wilson Musa

The dismal performance of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon at the AFCON2023 was not well-digested by Cameroonian football lovers. Many still believe that the country’s Football FA president, Samuel Eto’o had an invisible hand in the Lions’ defeat and brutal exit in the 8th finals.

Cameroonian said he should dismiss underperforming coach, former player, Rigobert Song. But the FA recently held a meeting where they did not mention the issue of Song. Instead, they rejected a supposed resignation from Samuel Eto’o.

Bikutsi singer and songwriter, Adèle Ruffine Ngono, known by her stage name Lady Ponce, on Tuesday said, ‘Enough is enough’ with the Eto’o barging. The woman who is known for her friendship with the former captain of the Indomitable Lions, wondered why Cameroonians are not going after those accused of embezzling money.

‘They love those who embezzle from the public treasury. They hate young people like you who have earned their money with dignity. Since you have been at Fecafoot, they ha
ve transformed Fecafoot into the presidency of the republic, as if you were the president of Cameroon, to solve their problems. They have created what is known as a death sentence on you to destroy you.’ She said in a Facebook post.

The singer also lamented that these insults are being vehiculated on social media with no mercy on Eto’o, adding that there is an urgent need to rebuild Cameroon and the younger generation.

‘You have to kill your brother at any cost, by any means necessary, by smearing him and denigrating him morning, noon, and night. As if football could solve 1% of Cameroon’s problems. Morning noon evening, Eto’o, Eto’o, Eto’o and they are happy as if you were the child of an animal. My beloved brother, nothing will happen to you. You are a blessed child of God and their hatred towards you will never change who you are or take away your blessings.’

Source: Cameroon News Agency

By Muluh Alfred

The Moroccan Royal Federation of Football (FRMF) announced the 2025 edition of the African nations cup will be played in the summer as opposed to the current edition played in Winter.

The decision was made following an evaluation meeting between President of the Fédération Fouzi Lekjaa and other members of the Moroccan national team and Fédération

The move to summer means that the 2025 AFCON will not clash with the European domestic season, but it runs into the 2025 FIFA World Club Cup, which is also scheduled for the same period.

However, it is left for FIFA to oversee the organization of the 2025 FIFA club world cup to avoid the clash between the two major competitions.

Morocco’s 2023 campaign in Côte d’Ivoire ended in disappointment after they were knocked out in the round of 16 by South Africa.

While Morocco is yet to win the AFCON, the North African nation has a rich football history and has produced some of the continent’s biggest football stars.

The announcement by the FRMF raise
s hope that the team can end their AFCON drought and claim their first-ever continental trophy.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

By Muluh Alfred

The Moroccan Royal Federation of Football (FRMF) announced the 2025 edition of the African nations cup will be played in the summer as opposed to the current edition played in Winter.

The decision was made following an evaluation meeting between President of the Fédération Fouzi Lekjaa and other members of the Moroccan national team and Fédération

The move to summer means that the 2025 AFCON will not clash with the European domestic season, but it runs into the 2025 FIFA World Club Cup, which is also scheduled for the same period.

However, it is left for FIFA to oversee the organization of the 2025 FIFA club world cup to avoid the clash between the two major competitions.

Morocco’s 2023 campaign in Côte d’Ivoire ended in disappointment after they were knocked out in the round of 16 by South Africa.

While Morocco is yet to win the AFCON, the North African nation has a rich football history and has produced some of the continent’s biggest football stars.

The announcement by the FRMF raise
s hope that the team can end their AFCON drought and claim their first-ever continental trophy.

Source: Cameroon News Agency