In the streets of Bafoussam, a city in central Cameroon, supporters crowd behind the television screens offered by bars, shops and restaurants. From one sidewalk to another, the vuvuzelas echo. Everywhere there are cries, noise, flags, smoke… This Thursday, January 13, 300 kilometers further south, in the Olembe stadium in Yaoundé, the Indomitable Lions are preparing to face Ethiopia for their second game in the African Cup of Nations (CAN).
A dancing bar in the Djeleng district, in downtown Bafoussam, is sold out. On the terrace, in the smoke of the grills, about twenty people huddle around a television. Inside, the two dance floors are bordered by two giant screens facing around fifty supporters. No one wears a mask.
Cameroonians like to play scare. All Indomitable Lions supporters know this. Nevertheless, when the defense of the Indomitable Lions is surprised at the 4and minute by the modest team of Ethiopia, the critics fuse: “Our defense is too fragile! “, “Look at him, he’s lost his feet!” “ The disappointment, however, is short-lived. Four minutes later, on a header at the far post, Karl Toko Ekambi sends the ball into the back of the net and allows Cameroon to come back to score. The whole town of Bafoussam cries out in relief. In the dance hall, we throw ourselves on the armchairs, we touch the ceiling with our hands and we fall into each other’s arms. In the street, the vuvuzelas start again.
Cameroon discovers a hero
It’s half time and Cameroon is still scared. A model balanced on the head, salesmen of sports shoes try to sneak between the tables. Customers take advantage of the break to order a new round of beers or comment on the posters of personalities that decorate the walls of the dance floor. What can this Tony Blair poster do alongside those of Ange Ebogo Emerent and Sam Fan Thomas, two Cameroonian musicians?
No time to wonder further, the second period begins. The dance hall continues to fill up. Stools are taken out so that newcomers do not remain standing. Hardly has the last fan sat down when Cameroon discovers a new hero. Vincent Aboubakar, who had already scored twice in the opening match against Burkina Faso, gave the Cameroonians the advantage (53′). We dance in the middle of the floor, we hug, we spill the beer…
Two minutes later, the same Vincent Aboubakar did it again. The excitement is at its height because at 3 goals to 1, the victory is sealed. A fourth goal, signed by Karl Toko Ekambi (67th), will give a big victory to the Indomitable Lions and propel the Cameroonians into the round of 16 of the African Cup of Nations, this competition they have been waiting to play at home for a while. half century.
“The victory is there and it is beautiful”
“We played well offensively, we created chances and we scored four goals, said Toni Conceiçao, the national team coach. But there are still things to settle, the difficulties will increase. We are aware that we must show more rigor and concentration. “
In the meantime, Cameroon is relishing. Inside the dance hall, the spectators are jubilant and congratulate each other. “It was a little difficult but the victory is there and it is beautiful, welcomes Chérif a few seconds after the final whistle. After the opening match, I felt like I had a 50 kilogram bag on my head and just then it just fell to the ground. Cameroon proves that it is still a country that counts in African football. “
“This victory goes straight to my heart and it must go to the heart of all Cameroonians”, adds his friend William. While the competition is being held in a tense security context – shots between soldiers and armed men injured Wednesday in western Cameroon, plagued by a bloody conflict between the army and English-speaking separatists -, “I hope this success will unite all the inhabitants of the country because we must be one, like the Indomitable Lions tonight”, launches William. In the street, three women sing, laughing: “We’re going to dance until dawn!” “