Why Anglophone Footballers must speak out!!!

It started with Lawyers, then teachers joined the train before the wind was transformed into a tornado by the “common man”. The Anglophone spirit has grown even deeper in recent months that you get the feeling there is no turning back at this point. But for the movement to keep that pace, every facet of the Anglophone community must bring their own piece to the puzzle. And one important group I have to call out in this struggle are Footballers, Anglophone footballers.

Our players must now speak out!!!

Some might be surprised I am calling on Anglophone footballers (even themselves) to speak out on the Anglophone problem but they have a massive voice in this struggle. As celebrities, footballers are crowd pullers and most of their fans/followers look up to them as role models- this is no exception when it comes to Anglophone footballers as well as Anglophone teams. Enow Ngachu, Clinton Njie, Fai Collins, Enoh Eyong, Anatole Abang, Kongnyuy Jude, Robert Mba Jama, Atem Valentine etc… Yong Sport Academy, Victoria United, Bang Bullet, PWD Kumba etc...

Bang Bullet just joined the Elite: Can they join the struggle?

If you love football you love FC Barcelona, the heart of Catalonia, a region in Spain that has been struggling to gain independence from the Kingdom. This struggle has been enhanced in recent years by their footballers most prominently Gérard Piqué who has shared the same dressing room with Samuel Eto’o. Always known to be at the heart of controversy, Piqué has never hidden his support for the Catalonian struggle and openly declared back in 2014 that he will vote for a Catalonia INDEPENDENCE away if a REFERENDUM was organized. He backed his words with actions when he took along his son to join one of the largest pro catalonia independence rally later that year amidst heavy criticisms from Spanish fans. 

Piqué took his son along to support a Pro-Catalan rally

"It is a different thing that I also feel Catalan, it was the day of the Catalans and to be in favour of the vote,” Piqué said after back then after the rally.

"That is something democratic and the people ought to have the right to vote (for independence)."

Piqué who has won the world cup and back to back Euros for Spain has since faced the ire of Spanish fans though he has always been booed by these same fans for his pro-Catalan views. In protest, he announced last month that he will be retiring from the Spanish national team after the 2018 World Cup but will certainly not be retiring from the Catalonia struggle.

Piqué and Barça players posing with the Catalonia flag

Can Anglophone footballers copy Piqué’s example? That is left to be seen. Eyong Enoh is a voice that could count for much. The midfielder is very popular, holds a cult hero status in Tiko, Buea with a very dedicated fan base in Mutengene. Now is the time for him to side with these fans who have always shown their unconditional support towards him. Clinton Njie just needs to see the turn out in the peaceful Buea rally recently to know what his supporters in Buea want. His voice in the struggle will be highly welcomed. Fai Collins should be aware that the people of Kumbo celebrated in fanfare when he was first called up to the national team. He should be aware that he lost a ‘Kumbo brother’ in the recent demonstrations in Bamenda. He must be aware that the people of Kumbo came out in the number to welcome Hon. Wirba after his heroic exploits at the National Assembly. He would be aware above all that the people need him to speak out and join the struggle.

Anglophone breed: Enoh and Njie should add their voices to the struggle

Next on the firing line is ENOW NGACHU. And I will still go back to the Catalonia example to justify why he ought to be vocal on the Anglophone problem. This time around I will pull out Pep Guardiola from the Lot.  Spain would not have achieved the recent successes without this man. He laid the groundwork for Spanish success with his Barcelona team. In fact, seven of the eleven players that started the 2010 World Cup final for Spain against the Netherlands were from Guardiola’s Barcelona Catalonia had won the World Cup for Spain, it was even argued back then. A clean sweep of domestic trophies as well as Champions League success enhanced Guardiola’s reputation in Spain and beyond but he was never flattered- he still opted for Catalan independence.

Barcelona supporters brandishing the Catalan flag

“If there’d been a Catalan State, I would have played for the Catalan national team because I am from Santpedor(a district in Catalonia),” Guardiola declared much to the dismay of then Spain's secretary of state for sport, Miguel Cardenal.

Pep has been vocal in his support for Catalonia independence

Back to Cameroon, if you conduct an opinion poll, it will be no surprise that Enow Ngachu will be amongst one of the most influential Cameroonians because of his exploits with the Women’s national team. He has not only brought to light the talent of Women in football but he has helped revived the sport after underwhelming performances by the men’s team had got fans disinterested in the sport. He has been in the spotlight, he is in the spotlight, and people listen when he speaks. Can he now gather the courage to speak out openly against Anglophone marginalization? Obviously, he can. If he and his team spoke passed across messages to stop early marriages of the girl child then it should be no different when it comes to the Anglophone question. Enow Ngachu can you please speak up!!!!

Hand on Heart? It should surely beat for the Anglophone struggle

Finally, Anglophone teams should come out of their shells- the struggle is equally for you. If you don’t know how to do it then borrow the Barcelona example.  We all love to watch FC Barcelona play because of their slick tiki-taka football but do you know they are at the heart of the Catalan struggle for independence? You just need to watch each of the league games to see close to 120.000 supporters fly the Catalan flags in every league game to remind the Spanish government of their right to independence.

Barça Supporters paint Nou Camp to Catalonia colours

In October 2014, the club published an official statement that it 'was one of the first institutions to declare it was in favor of the right to decide (for independence).''  Earlier in September, Barcelona marked the 300th anniversary of the loss of Catalan sovereignty to Spain by wearing the club`s red and gold away strip, the same colours as the Catalan flag, for the first time in a home game which they won two nil against Athletico Bilbao.

Supporters have equally used matches to express their views

Can Anglophone clubs now copy this example? Yes, they Can. The top Anglophone team at the moment is Yong Sports Academy-YOSA. Their supporters can devise strategies to voice the Anglophone struggles during Elite 1 matches. Their sister club National Polytechnic Bambui can do same in the Elite Two. 

YOSA and other Anglophone teams should add their voices to the struggle

However, there is no club in the SW region playing Elite football, but Elite matches will be staged in Buea and Limbe beginning January. Thus supporters going to the field in these towns could well device strategies to voice the Anglophone problem during the games. All Anglophone players going to the Africa Cup of Nations in January should not be indifferent, grant interviews, speak out, use the least opportunity or gesture to speak out to the world on the Anglophone problem.

Teacher, lawyer, student, trader, bike rider, taxi driver, footballer etc... it is and should be a collective fight. Every action counts!!!

Mali target Ghana scalp after thrashing Kenya

The head coach of Mali's Womens football team Oumar Guindo says they can beat Ghana and qualify for the semi finals of the competition.

The coach was upbeat after his side bounced back from a humiliating opening day defeat against Nigeria to beat Kenya 3-1 on Wednesday night at the Limbe Omnisports stadium.

Mali celebrate their first win

"Our performance in the first match was catastrophic and I congratulate my players for bouncing back in style. I promised that the second match was going to be surprise for all and you saw it.

The coach has now turned his sights for the next game against Ghana on Saturday.

"Expect another surprise in the next match against Ghana. The players were very motivated and played very well. Our objective is to qualify to the next round and if we beat Ghana, we can achieve it.

We are the first casualty-Kenya coach

The head coach of the Kenyan Women's team, David Ouma has lamented his team's performance after they crashed out of the ongoing Women's Africa Cup of Nations.

Kenya crashed to their second consecutive defeat after a 3-1 loss becoming the first side to exit the competiton and the coach lamented the fact that they did not take their chances.


"We are the first casualty and have not met our target in our maiden appearance at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. We wanted to be in the semis, " Ouma said.

Ouma left disappointed with Kenya's loss

"The game was a simple analysis. We got a chance, fail to score; Mali gets same chance and they score. We got good chances to score but fantastic goalkeeping from Kenya denied us. Sometimes you need luck in a game.

"Our aim is to take the most from every game. We still have a game against Nigeria and there is nothing like resting key players. The players who are fit will play against Nigeria. We have to throw in what we have in the last game.

UNICEF partners CAF to promote Children's right

Both organisations have agreed to broadcast messages that will improve on the rights of  Children in Africa.

The Confederation of African Football, Caf and the United Nations Children's fund UNICEF, have signed a partnership aimed at promoting the rights of Children in Africa.

In a press conference organised in Yaoundé today, both parties have agreed  to take advantage of the upcoming Women's Africa Cup of Nations which starts on November 19, to advocate for Children's right.

The "Together against the marriage of Young Girls" campaign will run throughout the tournament and beyond.

The partnership was signed today in Yde , Photo: CAF

One out of every five girls between the ages of 15-19 is married in Cameroon and over 15 million girls are forced into early marriages worldwide, statistics reveal. 

This has an adverse effect on health, social integration as well as sports, reason why CAF has joined hands with the other bodies to enhance the fight.

"Football is a common language across the world and we want to use this channel for the respect of Children's rights," Unicef's Advocacy and Communications Officer Brigite Helali told  reporters after the event.

Funds will equally be raised throughout this campaing to help promote the education of childre, especially girls, which is a big step to end early marriages, Mrs. Helali added.


"We want to use this period(Women's Afcon) to promote the rights of Children because we believe they are the future of our sports and the must be protected," CAF Secretary General Hicham El Amrani said.

Samuel Eto'o is a UNICEF ambassador

This is not the first time Unicef have used football to pass across their message. The body has in the recent past partnered with African soccer stars like Aaron Mokoena, Samuel Eto'o, Kanu Nwankwo and Yaya Touré  to fight against child labour. FC Barcelona and Manchester United have equally partnered UNICEF in recent years to advocate for children's rights.

The Women's Africa Cup of Nations will be hosted in Cameroon from November 19 to December 3 later this year.

WE WOULD BE BACK!!!!

Dear readers, for reasons beyond our control, We would be back after weeks of reconstruction as we seek to rebuild this platform to serve you better.

During this time out, will would not be posting any updates and you will not get access to some of the past and present articles- very few articles will be found on the blog. However, we promise to be back sooner than later to serve better.

We apologise for any inconveniences caused.

WE WOULD  BE BACK!!!

Aladoum Kolimba de retour au Cameroum

Il était l’invité surprise au stade de la réunification de Bepanda lors de la rencontre de la 4eme journée de l' Elite Two qui opposait Douala Athletic Club à Sahel FC de Maroua. Aladoum Kolimba (27 ans) était bel et bien le portier de l’équipe de la ville de Maroua.

 Mais qu’est ce qu’il fait encore dans ce pays ?’’, se demandaient certains spectateurs venus assister à la rencontre. Lui qu’on croyait partir à l’étranger pour mieux monnayer son talent, jadis reconnu par Thomas Nkono, est de retour.
Formé à Sahel FC de Maroua, Aladoum Kolimba vient de réintégrer son club formateur après une aventure manquée hors du pays. L’international Camerounais qui a fait ses beaux jours dans Sahel de Maroua, Cotonsport de Garoua Les Lions A’ et surtout les Lionceaux, se dit prêt à relever le nouveau défi qui l’attend à Sahel FC, après que son rêve de jouer en Hongrie ait été brisé par l’échec d’obtenir un visa à l’ambassade Hongroise.
Chemin de croix

Aladoum Kolimba

Comme beaucoup de joueurs émergeants dans le championnat local, Aladoum a été dans plusieurs pays Européennes et Africains pour faire des tests, qui malheureusement n’ont pas été positifs pour des raisons parfois extra-sportifves. Selon le joueur, les dirigeants de Sahel de Maroua l’on ramené dans le but sportif d’aider le club à remonter à l’Elite one. ‘’Comme un enfant de la maison, les dirigeants de sahel de Maroua n’ont jamais souhaités que je quitte le club’’, affirme Aladoum ‘’aujourd’hui, je suis là pour jouer et aider le club d’atteindre ses objectifs’’.
Le joueur insiste pour dire que son échec n’est pas dû à une mauvaise performance, citant l’exemple de son test positif en Angola, mais que des problèmes administratifs qui n’ont pas permis que les négociations aboutissent. Comme tout joueur ambitieux, Aladoum Kolimba garde toujours espoir d’évoluer dans les plus grands championnats d’Europe. L’ancien sociétaire de Cotonsport compte s’entraîner durement pour continuer à parfaire ses qualités intrinsèques de gardien de but moderne. L’objectif étant avant tout de classer son club parmi les 3 premiers, synonyme de montée en Elite One.

Distinctions
 Sacré meilleur gardien en 2007 pendant la troisième édition de la coupe de la CEMAC en Guinée Equatoriale.
 Élu meilleur gardien aux jeux de la Francophonie.
 Élu meilleur gardien au tournoi du Président de l’Angola.

Joseph Feutcheu : "Ce que j’ai reçu du transfert de Fomen est Dérisoire"

En 2010, le transfert du jeune Camerounais de la Panthère Sportive du Ndé a L’Olympique de Marseille, faisait des bruits dans les milieux footballistiques du Camerounais. Nombreux étaient ceux qui pensaient les coffres du club Mythique du Ndé s’étaient encore alourdis par les indemnités et montants du transfert du jeune latéral gauche.

Fomen a rejoint Marseille en 2009

 Aujourd’hui, l'ancien président du club récemment relégué est sorti de sa réserve, pour restituer la réalité des faits. Selon Joseph Feutcheu, le club n’a pas bénéficié de ce transfert parce que Fomen n’avait pas un contrat de longue durée avec la Panthère Sportive du Ndé. ’’Vous savez je n’aime pas beaucoup garder les joueurs pour longtemps, Charley n’avait qu’un an chez nous’’ déclare Feutcheu. ’’C’est la raison pour laquelle je n’ai pas reçu les frais du transfert, mais je peux recevoir les primes de formation qui sont d’ailleurs dérisoires. 2 millions(de Frnca CFA) c’est rien par rapport a la formation de Fomen’’ a déclaré le Joseph Feutcheu, aujourdhui Presidént de Feutcheu FC de Bandjoun. Si beaucoup de personnes ont intérêts à connaitre le montant du transfert, l'ancien Président pense que personne ne se demande de ce qu’il a dépenser pour la formation et le recrutement de ses joueurs, mais veulent seulement récolter ce qu’il n’ont pas semé.

L'un de plus grands espoirs du football camerounais à l'époque, Charly Fomen rejoint l'Olympique de Marseille en 2009 pour un montant non dévoilé. Il ne s'est jamais imposé et apres avoir été preté à Dijon, il est finalement transféré à Clermont en 2011 ou il passera deux années avant de rejoindre le championnat islandais ou il evolu actuellement.