The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has released the list of the last 30 players for the African Golden Ball 2016. The document that was made public today includes two Cameroonians, Benjamin Moukandjo of CF Lorient in France and of course the Great Samuel Eto’o, a player with Turkish club Antalyaspor.

Eto’o has been elected four times African Player of the Year (2003, 2004, 2005 and 2010). He is currently heading for a fifth African crown following his strong performance last season where he scored 20 goals in 31 appearances in the Turkish Superlig. Benjamin Moukandjo netted 13 times in Ligue 1 last season, in 31 games. Since the start of the new season, he has scored 4 goals in 8 matches with Lorient.

Algeria, Ivory Coast and Nigeria are the countries represented on the list with three players each. Yaya Toure, with four distinguished titles (2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014) did not make the last 30. Glo-CAF Awards will be awarded the January 5, 2017 in Abuja, Nigeria.

Here are the nominees:

Riyad Mahrez (Algeria & Leicester City)

Hillel Soudani El Arabi (Algeria & Dinamo Zagreb)

Islam Slimani (Algeria & Leicester City)

Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon & Antalyaspor)

Benjamin Mounkandjo (Cameroon & Lorient)

Serge Aurier (Ivory Coast & PSG)

Eric Bailly (Ivory Coast & Manchester City)

Yao Kouasi Gervais ‘Gervinho’ (Ivory Coast & Hebei Fortune)

Mohamed Salah (Egypt & Roma)

Mohamed El Neny (Egypt & Arsenal)

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon & Dortmund)

Andre Ayew (Ghana & West Ham)

Victor Wanyama (Kenya & Tottenham)

William Jebor (Liberia & Wydad Athletic Club)

Medhi Benatia (Morocco & Juventus)

Hakim Ziyech (Morocco & Ajax)

John Obi Mikel (Nigeria & Chelsea)

Kelechi Iheanacho (Nigeria & Manchester City)

Ahmed Musa (Nigeria & Leicester City)

Cedric Bakambu (DR Congo & Villareal)

Yannick Bolasie (DR Congo & Everton)

Sadio Mane (Senegal & Liverpool)

Kalidou koulibaly (Senegal & Napoli)

Keegan Dolly (South Africa & Mamelodi Sundowns)

Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs & South Africa)

Mbwana Samatta (Tanzania & Genk)

Aymen Abdennour Tunisia & Valencia)

Wahbi Khazri (Tunisia & Sunderland)

Dennis Onyango (Uganda & Mamelodi Sundowns)

Khama Billiat (Zimbabwe & Mamelodi Sundowns)

By Chi Prudence Asong with files from CIN

When Cameroon won the bid to host the 2016 women AFCON, there was a general feeling of pessimism about the country’s ability to host the tournament. The fears were entertained by the slow pace of executing of construction work on the sports infrastructure to host the showpiece. However, with the appointment of a new Minister of Sports and Physical Education, things sped up as government minister as well as the Governor of the South West Region multiplied field visits to mount pressure on the contractors. Even when it was clear Cameroon was going to be ready for the competition on time, skeptics still entertained the view the country was not going to be ready and that the hosting right was going to be withdrawn from Cameroon after the CAF inspection mission.

However, the skeptics were silenced when the head of the CAF inspection mission to Cameroon, Leodega Tenga declared at the end of their visit that Cameroon was ready. “Cameroon is ready to host the 2016 AFCON”, he said. “There are good quality hotels. No doubt about the training grounds. The Limbe stadium is one of the best on the continent. The pitches are ready for play even if the tournament was to take place today. We are extremely satisfied with what we saw and I think it is going to be an exceptional tournament in Cameroon”, Leodega Tenga added.

Despite the satisfaction of CAF, the Minister of sports and Physical Education, Bidoung Mkpatt declared that the government and entire citizens of Cameroon were mobilized towards organizing the competition with panache. To match words with action, the minister of Communication declared that though CAF recommends outside broadcasting vans with eight cameras, the country had ordered for two O.B. vans with twenty cameras for the TV production of the tourney. The litmus test on Cameroon’s ability to host the tournament was the draws ceremony on September 18, which Cameroon passed in flying colours as the event was of an unprecedented magnitude as testified by the president of CAF, Issa Hayatou who said it was the first time he was taking part in a draws ceremony in a football competition other than the men’s AFCON.

With about a month to go to the kick off of the competition on November 19, the momentum generated by the draws ceremony continues gathering steam raising great expectations. It is said the draws ceremony was just the tip of the iceberg as compared to what the opening and closing ceremonies of the tourney will be as it has been conferred in the hands of experts from Europe.

Culled from Cameroon Tribune

The TV channel Eurosport dedicated a documentary aired on Saturday the 1^st of October 2016 to George Weah who celebrated his 50^th birthday.  The program also made public the top 10 best strikers ever from the African continent and the Cameroonian Samuel Eto’o Fils was ranked before the 1995 European Ballon d’Or winner, George Weah and the African footballer of the century, Roger Milla. Here is the list as recorded by Eurosport:

Hossam Hassan (Egypt, 10th)

Rashidi Yekini (Nigeria, 9th)

Nwankwo Kanu (Nigeria, 8th)

Larbi Ben Barek (Morocco, 7th)

Rabah Madjer (Algeria, 6th)

Salif Keita (Mali, 5th)

Roger Milla (Cameroon, 4th)

Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast, 3rd)

George Weah (Liberia, 2nd)

Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon, 1st)

By Chi Prudence Asong

Prime Minister Philemon Yang, has praised the work of the President of the Confederation of African Football, Issa Hayatou.  The CAF chief executive was one of the attractions during the official draw and presentation ceremony of the logo, mascot and anthem for the African Cup of Nations Women’s Football Cameroon 2016.

The Premier took the opportunity to pay tribute to this great son of the country that has headed CAF since 1988 and moonlighted as Acting President of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and above all, is now an honorary member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Said Philemon Yang, “I would particularly like to acknowledge the presence of Mr. Issa Hayatou, worthy and valiant son of Cameroon, President of the African Football Confederation, Vice-President of FIFA and former interim president of FIFA. Mr. President Hayatou, the Head of State asked me to convey his warm greetings to your work in the service of international sport. At its 129^th session held in Rio, Brazil, the International Olympic Committee raised you to the honorary member of dignity. The other distinction spends your merit, your talent, and your commitment to the global sports movement. “

For his part, the CAF President, visibly marked by the praise he had received in the ceremony, was keen to stress his unwavering commitment to his homeland, Cameroon and joy of being with his family.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

The draw for the tenth edition of the women’s football African Cup of Nations taking place from the 19 of November to the 3^rd of December 2016, was held on Sunday in Yaounde. 8 teams will take part in this competition. They are:

Group A

Cameroon

Egypt

South Africa

Zimbabwe

Group B

Nigeria

Mali

Ghana

Kenya

Pool A will evolve in Yaounde and Group B teams will compete in Limbe. The opening match will pit Cameroon against Egypt on November the 19, 2016 at the Yaounde Omnisport stadium. The anthem and mascot of the tournament were presented to the public.

By Ebong Kingsley

The “Black Queens as they are commonly called” is the Female National Football Team of Ghana administered under the Ghana Football Association. It is among the eight partaker of the 2016 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations bid for Limbe- Cameroon this November 2016. The female football squad has been gaining strides under the administration of Yusif Basigi as head coach, Mercy Myles as Captain, Alhaji Adam Munkaila – Chairman of the Management Committee.

The team’s ever first international outing was in February 1991 in Lagos-Nigeria where it bowed to Nigeria one goal to five. Its biggest win was registered on 11th July 2004 where she beat Guinea 13 goals to nil. Its greatest defeat so far was on 22nd July 2016 in Paderborn- Germany during a friendly with Germany, she was battered by 11 goals to nil. Talking about the World cup tournament, it is worth noting that the Black Queens have made it 3 times; first in 1999, and with best results during the first round in 1999, 2003, and 2007.

And finally in the Africa Women’s Championship, it has made 10 appearances, first in 1991 with best results as second position in 1998, 2002, and 2006. But unfortunately has never succeeded to qualify for the Summer Olympic Games. That notwithstanding hopes are high that the team will likely register outstanding performances this 2016 for the fact that it will be appearing for the 11th time in the Africa Women’s Championship- free from the ordeal of “fresh man fright.” The team has twice produced the best players of the year, in the African Women’s football records.

–    Alberta Sackey — 2002 African Women Player of the Year
–    Adjoa Bayor — 2003 African Women Player of the Year

The Black queens are presently warming up – awaiting the November 2016 Africa Women’s Football Championship in Cameroon with white jerseys set as their first outfit and yellow as the second.

The team is composed by the following categories of players:

Goal keepers

–    Fafali Dumehasi
–    Patricia Mantey

Midfielders

–    Hillia Kobblah
–    Mary Berko
–    Agnes Quaye
–    Portia Boakye
–    Mary Essiful

Defenders

–    Janet Egyir
–    Juliet Acheampong
–    Grace Asare
–    Cynthia Adobea
–    Mercy Myles
–    Elizabeth Addo
–    Rosemary Ampem
–    Linda Eshun

Midfielders

–    Hillia Kobblah
–    Mary Berko
–    Agnes Quaye
–    Portia Boakye
–    Mary Essiful

Forwarders

–    Faiza Ibrahim
–    Elizabeth Cudjoe
–    Samira Suleman
–    Agnes Aduako
–    Diana Ankomah

Culled from CRTV

26 players of the women’s senior national football team are in their fifth camp in Akono, in the outskirts of Yaounde, to prepare for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations to be played in November and December in Cameroon.

The training which began on the 12^th of September 2016 will run till 24th September 2016. Head coach, Enow Ngachu indicated that the players who were not part of the camp due to their involvement in other international competitions will join the fold by October 2016.

Below are the names of the 26 Lionesses in camp:

1. Ogmahan Marthe Awa
2. Merang Raissa
3. Ngo Ndom Annette
4. Bororo Tehcle
5. Liapoe Gladys
6. Aghokeng Marlyse
7. Wanki Rita
8. Ngo Batoum
9. Doudou Ousmanou
10. Mafotchang  Ermine
11. Omboudou Brigitte
12. Ngo Mbeleck
13. Meyong Menene
14. Machia Farida
15. Mbappe Etoundi
16. Ejangue Siliki
17. Akaba Michele
18. Ndum Yoh Carine
19. Nkomidio A Mbassa
20. Akamba Dani
21. Manie Christine
22. Abena Therese
23. Sonckeng Ysis
24. Beko Bingono
25. Bella Rose
26. Ewodo Ekoge Gladys

The Indomitable Lions have beaten the Panthers of Gabon 2 goals to 1 in a friendly encounter hosted in the stadium of lights in Victoria-Limbe. The first Cameroonian goal came at the 64th minute from a 25 meters free kick by Moukandjo that was converted by Anatole Abang.

The Gabonese came back into the game at the 74th minute, following a challenge by a Cameroon defender Djetei and Kanga Kaku benefitted and equalized.   Edgar Salli fired home the winner at the 92^nd minute. Final score of the game Cameroon 2  Gabon 1

List of Cameroon 11

Goalkeeper: Ako

Defenders: Ngwem, Djettei, Ngadeu, Oyongo

Midfielders: Tchani, Boya, Kom

Attackers: Abang, Salli, Moukandjo

By Ebong Kingsley

The Gabonese football national team aka the Panthers of Gabon arrived Victoria-Limbe for a friendly encounter with the Lions of Cameroon today evening. The match organized by the Cameroon Football Federation is to prepare the Lions for the Africa Cup of Nations 2017. The game begins at 7 pm.

The Gabonese conducted the traditional tour of the stadium on Monday while their Cameroonian counterparts in turn held a training session within the same facility.

The Lions Indomitable will face the Panthers of Gabon without TOKO Karl, SIANI Sebastian, TEIKEU Adolphe and ONDOA Fabrice-the four players who were instrumental in the victory last Saturday against Gambia. Cameroon Concord News understands the four were authorized by coach Hugo Broos, to join their clubs.

By Sama Ernest

After five days of training at the CAF Center for Excellence located in Mbankomo, some few kilometers from Yaounde, the Indomitable Lions have reportedly moved to the port city of Victoria-Limbe in the South West region without Clinton Njie. Cameroon Concord News understands the new Victoria stadium will host Gambia and Gabon respectively.

The Indomitable Lions conducted a training session at the stadium sports complex upon arrival. The session saw the presence of many cheering fans that were informed that head coach Hugo Broos will hold a press conference on Friday to speak of the Gambian game.

The Indomitable Lions next two matches are no major issues. Already qualified for the finals of AFCON Gabon 2017, Hugo Broos and his boys are going to use these matches to assess in view of the final round of qualifying for the World Cup Russia 2018 Africa area that starts in the month October, 2016.

By Sama Ernest