CAN 2022: in Limbé-Buea, the teams think of the ball, not the balls
A policeman, submachine gun slung over his shoulder, watches over the Mauritanian team bus in Limbe.
© RFI/Ndiassé SAMBE
Text by: Ndiasse Sambe Follow
3 mins
In group F of CAN 2022, the teams housed in the cities of Limbé and Buea, in the heart of the conflict zone, want to focus on football.
History not to be distracted by the heavy security situation and device in these two cities of the English-speaking area of Cameroon.
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From our special correspondent in Limbé and Buea,
The scenery changes as you approach Limbe.
On the last kilometers that connect Douala to this city in the south-west of Cameroon, the road is marked out by the military.
On approximately every 100 meters, an element of the Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR), "
the cream of the Cameroonian army
" (says a sergeant) is posted, hooded, weapon in hand.
In the second largest city in the English-speaking area of Cameroon,
marked by a latent conflict
between the government and the
Ambazonian separatists
, the security apparatus is impressive.
CAN 2022: match schedule, results and team standings
The CAN, which is also played in Limbé and Buéa, two cities hosting Group F teams (Tunisia, Mali, Gambia and Mauritania) has raised the level of security in the area with military factions added to regular police patrols . "
An imposing security device throughout the journey from the airport to the hotel
", even concedes Colonel Mouhamed Samake, head of security for the Malian delegation.
In Buea, the howling sirens, which escort Mali and Gambia during their outings for training, matches or press conferences, or the rounds of police helicopters, punctuate the daily life of the Eagles and Scorpions.
"
It's not good for concentration, it's not normal for football
," said Gambia coach Tom Saintfiet.
It gives a feeling that is not ''secure'' when there are a lot of soldiers, but we have to work on football, that's what we know how to do
”.
A police car near the Middle Farm stadium where teams based in Limbé train.
© RFI/Ndiassé SAMBE
“We take care of football.
Others take care of security…”
Housed in a 5-star hotel at the foot of Mount Cameroon, whose beautiful panorama contrasts with the closed face of the security guards and soldiers who monitor the place, Malians and Gambians seem to live in a "golden prison".
However, staying focused on football and trying to ignore everything about security - which doesn't even let a radio recorder into the hotel - seems to be the key word for the players in group
F. deals with technique, football.
Others deal with security.
To each their own work
”, cut short, the coach of Mali, Mohamed Magassouba, questioned on the question at a press conference.
“
The impression of living in a military camp
”
Even
the shooting of January 12
does not seem to disturb the hosts of Limbé-Buéa, like the Mauritanians. “
We hear a few little things, but it doesn't affect us, we have the head for the matches
, says Aboubacar Camara, captain of the Mourabitounes. His teammate, Souleymane Doukara adds: “
We ignore all that. The security device is very high. We don't talk about it, we watch the matches, we take care of ourselves as best we can, we play cards
. »
Security is in any case the watchword of the Confederation of African Football, which has told its agents not to leave the hotel with their badge or in an official car.
"
We have the impression of living in a military camp
", says a member of the CAF who admits that the only small deviation he has allowed himself since his arrival in Limbé is to go and have his hair using an unmarked car for this "high risk" trip.
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