Triumphant return.

The Lionesses thrashed the Scorchers of Malawi, by three goals to zero, at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium.

PM Dion Ngute, who was with the girls in Morocco, since last Saturday, on the instructions of the President of the Republic, Paul Biya, was welcomed back home with the coveted trophy, at the Yaounde Nsimalen International Airport, by a jubilant crowd.

The plane that transported the Prime Minister and the entire squad, touched down o the airport at exactly 2:16 p.m. local time.

Moments afterwards, President Biya’s envoy emerged from the aircraft in the company of team captain, Aboudi Onguene. 

Onguene lifted the trophy to the delight of the hundreds of fans who had stormed the airport to welcome the WAFCON champions.

Before the rest of the players could step out of the plane, joyous compatriots had surrounded the airliner, scrambling for pictures with the stars of the day. Even security officers and airport workers were caught off guard in the merry of the victory.

Beyond immortalising the historic moment, many posted such fresh pictures online, further electrifying the nation. 

The Prime Minister and the team were later treated to a brief but poignant welcome at the airport. The Acting President of the National Olympic and Sports Committee, Gregoire Owona, led authorities, including the Governor of the Centre Region, Naseri Paul Bea, to welcome the delegation from Morocco. 

All these were just the tip of the iceberg, compared to scenes of roller-coaster celebrations that enveloped central Yoaunde in the later parts of yesterday. 

Mission accomplished 

After the airport formalities, the Head of State’s envoy, Dr Chief Joseph Dion Ngute talked to the press about a mission accomplished.

Dion Ngute praised the team for honouring the President of the Republic, his wife Chantal Biya and the Cameroonian people.

The Prime Minister waved the cheering crowd and boarded his car to rest, giving way for another phase of celebrations. 

It was the Minister of Women Empowerment and the Family, Prof Marie Therese Abena Ondoa, who later accompanied the Lionesses in military vehicles to parade across the nation’s capital.

Thousands of compatriots spontaneously poured to the streets as the Lionesses drove from the Nsimalen International Airport, to their base at the Mont Febe Hotel. They did so while savouring the salutation and honour worth their WAFON exploit.

From the airport, the convoy was a bit fast but slowdown throughout the stretches from Mvan, 101 Airbase, Mvog Mbi, 20 May Boulevard, Nouvelle Route Bastos among others.

The vehicles transporting the Lionesses could barely get space through the crowd. Thousands of hands were raised in succession across the entire itinerary of the parade.

In the course of the joyous shouts, fans occasionally burst to extra jubilation after identifying some of the players. 

After communing with the population, the Lionesses ended at the Mont Febe Hotel. The team is expected to spent some days together, pending the next phase of celebrations and possible honours, which authorities are expected to announce in the coming days.

Lionesses appreciate population

Midfielder, Toko Njoya, thanked God and Cameroonians for the exceptional reception. She said the welcome showed how the people stood with the team throughout the tournament. 

Easther Mayi Kith, on her part, told reporters at the end of the parade that: “We gave everything to honour the nation. We are so happy for the support, we made the nation proud and it is so great for us”.

Forward, Michaela Abam, said the celebration of the victory of the Lionesses showed how unique Cameroon is, compared to the rest of the world.

“…It is something we will never forget for the rest of our lives. What God cannot do does not exist. It is a door opened for something great,” Abam remarked.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3882 of Tuesday August 18, 2026