CHAN 2020: Cameroonian supporters happy to find football and their Indomitable
Cameroonian supporters eager to find their indomitable Lions.
© Pierre René-Worns / RFI
Text by: Ndiasse Sambe Follow
4 min
The kick-off of CHAN 2020 delighted many supporters of the Indomitable Lions who insisted on being present despite the health risk and the imposing anti-Covid19 protocol.
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From our special envoy to Cameroon,
They have been waiting for this for over a year!
Since November 13, 2019 and the Cameroon-Cape Verde match (0-0) counting for the CAN 2021 qualifiers. It was before the coronavirus epidemic and before the matches were played behind closed doors.
The fans of the Indomitable Lions were therefore happy this Saturday, January 16 to find their players, and their stadium.
It was not the A team, and it took place under special conditions, but the pleasure of reconnecting with the atmosphere at the stadium outweighed everything.
"
Football is religion in Cameroon, you can understand that staying a year without going to the stadium and seeing the players is frustrating,
" said John, one of the few supporters who was able to find a ticket.
Eric, he stayed near the Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium in Yaoundé.
At one o'clock to kick off, he still hoped to find the famous sesame to see the Indomitable.
“
I have the money, but I can't find a ticket anywhere.
Not even on the black market,
”he laughs.
Because of the Covid-19 epidemic, CAF has decided to limit seats to 25% of the stadium capacity.
Only 10,000 seats out of the 40,000 in the Ahidjo stadium could be occupied.
Cameroonian supporters line up to enter the Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium in Yaoundé.
January 16, 2021 © Pierre René-Worns / RFI
The fear of the coronavirus has not dampened the ardor of Cameroonian fans.
The health protocol set up at the entrance to the stadium either.
Wearing a mask is compulsory, distance between the seats, distribution of hydro-alcoholic gel, temperature measurement, the organizers have gone all out to limit the risks.
A device that reassures Laure Ngo.
"
We take more risk in the street because the mask is not mandatory, at the stadium, I think we are even safer,
" she said.
"
God watches over Cameroon
"
This opening match of CHAN, Serge tracksuit in the colors of the Lions, accompanied by his “
only fiancée available
”, did not want to miss it under any circumstances.
“
The last time Cameroon organized an event of this magnitude, I was not born.
So for me it was impossible to miss it.
Covid or not, I will have come.
It is symbolic that the first international football tournament with spectators takes place here and then, God watches over Cameroon
.
"
The gods of football have in any case chosen the Indomitable who started their tournament well by winning against Zimbabwe (1-0).
The spectacle was rarely seen on the lawn, but the main thing was elsewhere for the supporters.
“
We won and it's good even if the team suffered
, analyzes Alain, excited by the euphoria of victory.
It's a shame because if it weren't for the Covid, the stadium would be full, and the players would have played better
”.
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CHAN 2020
Cameroon
Coronavirus
Soccer
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