Ahead of 2024 Cup of Cameroon final: Sports minister hands gov’t financial support to Colombe, Aigle.

Prior to the final, the country’s sports boss, representatives of the two clubs and heads of the various committees charged with the organisation of the event, met in Yaounde on Wednesday September 25.

This was during the second and final planning meeting ahead of the Cup final.

Minister Mouelle Kombi used the meeting to hand government’s support to the clubs as they finalise preparations.

Colombe president, Mathieu Alain Doko Edjiane who received the six million FCFA cheque on behalf of his club, expressed gratitude to government for the gesture, adding that it will help make up for some of their expenses.

“Colombe for more than a month has been getting ready for this Cup final. For the past two weeks, the team has been in camp at Mundi Complex [-near Yaounde]. Overall, the boys are in very high spirit and are ready for Sunday. Be sure we are going to storm Mfandena on Sunday and you’ll see more of our white and violet colours,” Doko Edjian said.

He told reporters that there’s heavy mobilisation of their supporters, especially in the various Divisions of the South Region.

“We’re barely two steps from here. All of the South, even if they don’t have the means, they will trek to Yaounde. We could have been able to fill ¾ of the stadium if not for the fact that all the teams are supposed to have equal space,”.

About the outcome of the match, the Colombe president said: “It’s our first Cup final and it’s going to be our first victory,”.

Aigle is ready to fly higher

On his part, the Secretary General of the Menoua Division club in the West Region, Jules Donfack who represented the outfit, said the six million FCFA financial support from government was a big boost to them.

“You know to have players in camp for about a month isn’t easy, they have to feed, recuperate and so on. Aigle is doing well and I can assure you that we’re preparing to win the final,” Donfack told reporters.

The team has been camping at Nkilzok in Mfou Subdivision in the outskirts of Yaounde and will head to Yaounde today.

The club’s scribe disclosed that they planning to organise a wake and caravan on the eve of the game, adding that: “Bike riders are already mobilising, our colours[yellow & black] are all over the place,”.

Teamwork recommended among commission members

After listening to the heads of the various commissions charged with the organisation of the Cup final, present their reports, Minister Mouelle Kombi prescribed teamwork and collaboration.

“In view of the ceremony of September 29…all the aspects examined during this meeting, be it security, animation… should be taken into consideration so that we should have an event in a very good condition,” Mouelle Kombi said.

He insisted that every detail must be taken into consideration. Going by Minister Mouelle Kombi, messages that have be put out during the event, should focus on reinforcing the feeling of belonging to one and indivisible Cameroon which is united its diversity.

He underlined that sports is a factor of integration, cohesion as well as inclusion and living together.

Aigle, Colombe eyeing maiden Cup trophy

The finalists of this year’s Cup of Cameroon have never won the competition since its inception. While Aigle prides itself with two appearances in the Cup final-1958 and 2008, losing respectively to Tonnere Kalara Club of Yaounde and Coton Sport of Garoua; Colombe on their part are in their first final.

Colombe had a great run to reach the final this season, winning all their matches during regular time, without conceding a single goal. They eliminated Eding Sport, Avion Academy of Nkam and Fovu of Baham on similar scores of 3-0 at the 32nd, 16th and 8th finals. 

They went on to beat Panthere 1-0 at the quarter final before thrashing Isle of Hope Sports Academy, ISOHSA 3-0 at the semifinal. The winner of the Cup final on Sunday will represent Cameroon in the CAF Confederation Cup next season. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3242 of Friday September 27, 2024