The elite of Garoua and the Grand North have shown little excitement in FECAFOOT’s decision to move the Cameroon-Namibia AFCON qualifier from Douala to the capital city of the North region.
Several reactions have highlighted it as a decision taken mainly to counteract the government’s intention to have the match played in Yaounde.
The disagreement over the stadium to be used came after the office in charge of stadiums (ONIES) said the initially chosen Japoma stadium would not be available due to rehabilitation works.
Abdouraman Hamadou, a key football actor from Garoua, said FECAFOOT’s option to have the match played in Garoua ‘appears very clearly as a manipulative maneuver to make the population of this city, target allies in this enterprise of rebellion’ he said.
‘In normal time, as a son of Garoua, it would have been with great satisfaction that I would have welcomed the information that the Indomitable Lions would play their game against Namibia at the Roumdé-Adjia Stadium on September 7, 2024.’
Th
e Etoile Filante FC administrator’s point was supported by L’oeil du Sahel publisher, Guibai Gatama, who said it would be ‘disrespectful’ to expect the population of the North to celebrate, given that Garoua was only chosen as a second option to suit the ‘interests’ of FECAFOOT. The native of the Far North responded to comments made about the indifference of the elite in the North after Garoua was designated for the match.
Gatama said they are more concerned about the development of their community and creation of opportunities for the youth. The elite have, however, reaffirmed their support for the Indomitable Lions.
Source: Cameroon News Agency