Walter Wilson Nana, AfricaNews reporter in Buea, Cameroon
Many Cameroonians got into the frenzy of the 27th edition of the Orange African Cup of Nations because their darling squad, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon was party to the rendezvous. Across the country, many people took deep interest in the competition.
However, since the sacking of the Lions by the Pharaohs of Egypt, many Cameroonians, in the streets, have visibly, lost touch with the competition. But the Cameroonian media is still up to the task, following the events from Angola.
A lot of people in Cameroon, now, do not really bother who wins the coveted trophy come Sunday, January 31. Bouddih Adams, a Cameroonian journalist is putting his money for Ghanaians.
“I want Ghana to win because they are my nearest neighbours than Egypt. Ghanaian football has been on the progressive lane, with their junior football team, making a timely contribution to the Black Stars. Ghana is also progressing in many ways in their national life; democratically, socially and economically. Hence, sports should crown the Ghanaian efforts and make her an example for other African countries to emulate. So, I support them,” he noted.
Barrister Tobias Ashuntantang of Amity Law Firm, Buea, Cameroon is a big fan of Egyptian football. Hear him; “Egypt is the team that has impressed me most since AFCON 2010 rumbled off in Angola. The Pharaohs have proven that though they missed out at the South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign, they remain a powerhouse in African football. Winning the AFCON 2010 will not be a big surprise to me. They deserve it as a consolation for missing out of the World Cup race.”
The aforementioned reactions constitute a tip of the mixed reactions cutting across the Cameroonian public. There is no perceived consensus amongst Cameroonians on who to win the trophy. Everybody seems to have chosen his or her own team and taken it closer to their chest. Therefore, let the African football fiesta go on and let the game animate the African continent.
If Cameroon would have been in the shoes of Ghana or Egypt, trust Cameroonians! People would have celebrated in all forms you can imagine, before the cup comes home. Now, there is nothing at stake. Owners of beer parlours and enjoyment joints in Cameroon have expressed a lot of bitterness with the defeat of the Lions. While the Lions stayed on at AFCON 2010, this sector of business flourished.
