Indomitable Lionesses; priority audience for Biya!.

On Saturday, August 15, 2026, a day before the Women's AFCON final, in the Indomitable Lionesses' camp in Rabat, Morocco, to boost their morale and fighting spirit, the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Dr Chief Joseph Dion Ngute, accompanied by Sports Minister, Narcisse Mouelle Kombi and Minister Marie-Thérèse Abena Ondoua of Women’s Empowerment and the Family, was quoted by the media as saying: "President Papa Biya and his wife, Mama Chantal Biya, have instructed me to tell you that they are expecting you in Yaounde with the trophy. You have a duty to honour them with it."    

The ladies were thrilled. They won the Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, with a resounding three goals with no reply from their Malawian opponents.

It was an achievement that transcends politics. The Indomitable Lionesses achieved a historic feat, giving the country its first continental title, breaking a decade-long curse.

The success was all a luck of divinity, especially given that they did not qualify for the competition on the field of play.

They only featured at the tournament, thanks to CAF’s decision to expand the number of participating teams from 12 to 16. A second chance that they seized with unwavering determination.

The elated crowned African champions were treated to a triumphant welcome in Yaounde, on Monday August 17, 2026, from a huge crowd that had gathered at Yaounde  Nsimalen International Airport.

The jubilant crowd waved the green, red, and yellow colours of the national flags, attired in jerseys of the national team and sang patriotic songs. The excitement was palpable.

The Ministry of Sports and Physical Education had called on Cameroonians to mobilise and give the heroines a warm welcome. The people were there but the Number One Lion of Unity Palace was not yet back in the country.

They are lodged at the Mont Fébé Hotel, reportedly on “Very high instructions,” while waiting to receive presidential honours. 

FECAFOT President, Samuel Eto’o Fils, wrote to the Minister of Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Prof Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, requesting an audience on August 18, for a FECAFOOT delegation to officially present the WAFCON trophy “at a date and time” convenient for the minister.

He added that “…aware of the significance of this historic achievement for the profile of Cameroonian football and for the nation’s sporting youth as a whole, the Cameroon Football Federation would like a delegation from FECAFOOT to come and officially present this trophy to you, in your capacity as the head of the technical oversight of sports in Cameroon.”.

In a swift reply that has since gone viral on the social media, Minister Mouelle Kombi stated that the President of the Republic “holds both the prerogative and the solemn privilege of receiving the Indomitable Lionesses…”

According to Minister Mouelle Ekombi, the Head of State, in accordance with established practice, is expected to offer the Lionesses his congratulations on behalf of the entire nation and honour them in a manner of his discretion.

Though was out of the country for 74 days, the President was ‘working,’ as on July 28, 2026, his decree placed a military General on "second section," a move that marks the retirement of Generals.

On July 30, 2026, another decree authorised the Minister of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development, MINEPAT, to sign financing agreements, totalling nearly 28 billion FCFA francs with the Islamic Development Bank.

The latest major assignment was on August 3, 2026, when he promoted five colonels to the rank of Brigadiers General and reorganised the military hierarchy.  

Such Presidential activities are perceived by government narrative as confirming his continued exercise of power and capability to governed in good health at 93. He arrived Yaounde at last last evening and was received with fanfare. 

Refreshed and invigorated after 74 days of vacation and working, the President has on his opulent desk urgent tasks pending, and needing attention such as, reception for the Indomitable Lionesses, who have been idling at Monte Febe Hotel for more than a week, and the cabinet reshuffle promised in “the coming days” since December last year. 

Also pending on Biya’s table are the appointment of a Vice President, and the convening of the Higher Judicial Council that has not met in five years against a yearly session. 

The sooner he does that with alacrity, the better for the government which was said by many political commentators to be in limbo, since his imposing aura keeps the ministers in check. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3885 of Friday August 21, 2026