18, June 2019
Ambazonia: Four Cameroon police killed by Restoration Forces 0
Cameroon’s government said on Sunday that separatists in its restive English-speaking region had detonated an improvised explosive device that killed four police and wounded six.
“The government condemns in the strongest terms this criminal act, perpetrated by armed bandits and terrorists with no faith or law,” the statement said. It also said the attack occurred along a road near the district of Eyumojock in the south west of the country late on Saturday.
There was no immediate reaction or claim of responsibility from any separatist group.
What began as peaceful protests in Cameroon’s southwestern Anglophone region in 2017 have degenerated into near daily violence between the forces of Cameroon’s mostly French-speaking government and several separatist groups.
The English-speaking Northwest and Southwest of the country complain of being marginalized by the French speaking majority.
Since 2017, about 1,800 people have been killed and more than 530,000 displaced with 1.3 million in need in the region
It is rare but not unheard of for the separatists to use bomb technology, but this would mark their first deadly strike using a bomb.
The attack came after both sides claimed to be open to dialog, which rights groups doubt will happen under current conditions. Prime Minister Joseph Ngute has said the government would be willing to talk to the rebels, but would not consider their demand for secession.
Eleven movements representing Anglophone Cameroon, including the main armed factions, last month said they were willing to enter mediated discussions with the state.
The United Nations estimates that, since 2017, about 1,800 people have been killed and more than 530,000 displaced with 1.3 million in need in the region.
Cameroon’s linguistic divide has existed since the end of World War One, when the League of Nations divided the former German colony of Kamerun, in central Africa, between allied victors, leaving most of Cameroon French-administered but a small part run by Britain.
Source: National Post
18, June 2019
AFCON 2019: A Combined XI of the Best Players at This Summer’s Tournament 0
The Africa Cup of Nations kicks off on Friday 21 June with hosts Egypt hoping to add to their record seven titles. There will be an abundance of world-class talent on display from across Europe’s top leagues and beyond, as the best players from the continent compete for the continental crown.
Defending champions Cameroon face a tough test to defend their title and are way down on the bookies’ favourites behind the like of Nigeria, Ghana and Mohamed Salah’s Egypt.
Considering all the talent on display, here’s a best possible XI of the players on show at AFCON 2019.
Goalkeeper & Defenders
Andre Onana (GK, Cameroon) – The 23-year-old keeper shot to international fame this season, after starring in Ajax’s run to the Champions League semi-finals. He was named Cameroonian Footballer of the Year and African Goalkeeper of the Year in 2018, as well as claiming a spot in the Eredivisie Team of the Year 2018/19. Curiously, his cousin Fabrice Ondoa is also in the squad as another of Cameroon’s keepers.
Serge Aurier (RB, Ivory Coast) – The Tottenham full back was a part of the team that lifted the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015. He left Paris Saint-Germain for Spurs two years later in 2017, but isn’t exactly a fan favourite in north London and played just 17 times all season in 2018/19. However, he is still a top-level, experienced right back in the prime of his career at 26.
Achraf Hakimi (LB, Morroco) – The Spanish-born Real Madrid youngster spent last season on loan at Borussia Dortmund where he enhanced his reputation greatly, providing three assists in the Champions League tie with Atletico Madrid and bagging his first senior goal at just 19.
Kalidou Koulibaly (CB, Senegal) – The most high-profile defender at the tournament, Napoli’s ‘K2’ is often subject to much transfer speculation. This summer has been no different, with figures as high as £100m touted as his price tag, with Manchester United supposedly among his suitors. He was named Serie A’s best defender this season and has appeared in the league’s official team of the tear on three occasions.
Medhi Benatia (CB, Morocco) – Benatia has had a somewhat nomadic career but with clubs like Roma, Bayern Munich and Juventus under his belt, he’s one of the most experienced centre halves at the tournament. Alongside Hakimi and Wolves star Romain Saiss, Morocco have the pick of the tournament’s defences.
Midfielders
Thomas Partey (CM, Ghana) – 26-year-old Partey is the quintessential Diego Simeone player, tough and relentlessly hard-working. A defensive midfielder with Atletico Madrid, he often plays a more advanced role for his country and has seven goals in 17 appearances, since his debut in 2016.
Naby Keita (CM, Guinea) – Keita’s big money move to Liverpool hasn’t exactly worked out as many expected just yet. However, he had begun to show glimpses of his best form before injury ruled him out of the Reds’ run-in. A dynamic all-action engine-room star, Keita made the Bundesliga Team of the Season in 2017 and the CAF Team of the Year in 2018.
Hakim Ziyech (CAM, Morocco) – One of many players to enhance their reputation in Ajax’s fabled Champions League run. There are a lot of clubs reportedly tracking his progress and he can add to a potential transfer fee with an outstanding performance at the tournament.
Forwards
Sadio Mane (LW, Senegal) – Mane is coming off the back of the best goalscoring form of his career, culminating in a Champions League crown and Premier League Golden Boot. There’s never been a better time for him to inspire his side to victory and add some international accolades to match his domestic form.
Mohamed Salah (CF, Egypt) – Not quite the one season wonder some rivals predicted, instead finishing as the Premier League joint top scorer alongside teammate Mane. Salah has had to move inside to accommodate the other forwards but with a staggering 71 goals in two seasons at Liverpool he is equally at home in a more central role.
Nicolas Pepe (RW, Ivory Coast) – Pepe is not quite a household name yet but he’s another in line for a big move following this tournament after a breakthrough campaign. Pepe’s 22 goals and 11 assists helped Lille to a second place finish last season. He could, in fact, be joining Salah and Mane at Liverpool next season if the latest rumours are to be believed. However, one of Europe’s other giants is more likely.
Substitutes: FaroukBen Mustapha (Tunisia), Romain Saiss (Morocco), Kwadwo Asamoah (Ghana), Wilfred Ndidi (Nigeria), Wilfried Zaha (Ivory Coast), Baghdad Bounedjah (Algeria), Riyad Mahrez (Algeria)
Source: 90min.com