Stephen Eta Tataw 57, the renowned Southern Cameroons footballer who captained the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon will be buried today Saturday, August 29, 2020, at 1 p.m. at the Catholic cemetery at Mvolyé, located in the 3rd district of the French Cameroun capital, Yaoundé.

The late captain of the 1990 Cameroon team will be accorded final tributes during a ceremony scheduled at the Yaounde Sports Palace, under the chairmanship of the Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Narcisse Mouelle Kombi and a so-called personal representative of the Head of State.

In addition to the Requiem Mass, the late Javion as he was popularly known will receive a posthumous decoration after testimonies from his family, former teammates, FECAFOOT and the Biya regime.

Yesterday’s ceremony at the Yaounde Central Hospital was very popular, despite measures to limit gatherings because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Several generations of the Indomitable Lions, including Samuel Eto’o and Roger Milla answered present. French Cameroun political and sports authorities also took part notably the Minister of Sports, Mr. Mouelle Kombi and Seidou Mbombo Njoya, the President of FECAFOOT.

Winner of the 1988 African Cup of Nations in Morocco, the man with 43 caps went down in history as captain of the mythical team that reached the quarter-finals of the 1990 World Cup.

By Rita Akana in Yaounde

The Parisians lost the European title by a slim margin and the Cameroon international believes his side did all they could in the encounter

Eric Choupo-Moting revealed it hurts to lose the Champions League final to Bayern Munich but feels his side can be proud of their effort after giving their best in the game.

The Parisians lost 1-0 to the German Bundesliga side at Estadio da Luz to narrowly miss out on the European trophy on Sunday.

Kingsley Coman’s strike made the difference in the encounter, heading home from Joshua Kimmich’s cross moments before the hour mark.

Choupo-Moting featured six times in the competition for PSG and scored the winning goal against Atalanta that propelled them to the semi-final of the tournament.

The Cameroon international also made a cameo appearance in the final, replacing Angel Di Maria and contributed his effort in the game.

Choupo-Moting has taken to the social media to express his feelings on losing the final to the Bundesliga champions.

“It’s difficult to find the right words right now, because it still hurts a lot,” Choupo-Moting posted on Instagram.

“But even if we lost the game yesterday, we keep our heads up and comeback stronger! It was a long journey, we can be proud of our way.

“We gave everything on and off the pitch, like our supporters to whom I want to send a big thank you and big respect .We worked hard to come so far and we made history for such a big club.”

Source: Goal.com

Cameroon is struggling to deliver the Paul Biya Stadium in Yaoundé which will serve host the opening and closing ceremonies of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in 2022. Caf postponed the 32nd edition of the tournament from January 2021 to 2022, because of the disruptions occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic, giving the host country more time to complete projects. But the big question is, will the country be ready? Cameroon’s Minister for Sports and Physical Education, Prof Narcisse Mouelle Kombi told Nation Sport he was satisfied with the progress at the Olembe Sports Complex.

The 60,000-capacity stadium is expected to be named after the country’s long-serving leader, Paul Biya. During an inspection tour of the site late July, Kombi, who is also the head of the local organising committee of the tournament, rated at 80 per cent work done so far on the stadium that was initially supposed to have been completed in December 2018.

While stripping off Cameroon the 2019 Afcon hosting rights, the continental body cited insecurity as the main reason. But the failure to meet compliance conditions including massive delays in completion of stadiums and other infrastructure, which were shrouded in controversies and corruption scandals, played a major part. Even though the Cameroonian government had said works on the infrastructure meant for the 2019 competition would continue at same pace Yaoundé has not delivered on the promise.

The works at the Olembe facility have been progressing at a painstakingly slow pace for four years now with critics blaming the delays on the “unscrupulous manner in which the contracts of the project were awarded.” Scores of senior government official are feared to be involved in Afcon projects-related graft that whistleblowers claim has cost the state at least $2.1 billion.

Boris Bertolt, an investigative journalist and an ardent critic of the Biya regime, leaked copies Afcon contracts between the state of Cameroon and private firms hired to execute some of the works with frighteningly huge sums of money and the government had not disputed the figures. “The delays in completing Afcon infrastructures which have tainted the image of Cameroon are linked to blockages in the attribution of the contracts because of corruption,” Bertolt said.

The corruption scandals surrounding the Afcon projects were rife that in 2018, a radical opposition Member of Parliament, Hon Jean Michel Nintcheu called on the public to march on the streets and demand the collective resignation of the government “for massive embezzlement, aggravated corruption, organised band looting and Afcon sabotage.” A video of a government official in the country defending why a bag of cement costs 15,000 CFA francs for the Afcon project, instead of the normal 4,500 CFA francs, caused an uproar after it went viral.

In the midst of the outrage, the government cancelled the contract for the construction of the Olembe Sports Complex from Italian firm, Piccini, and awarded it to Canadian company, MAGIL Construction, who are also struggling to complete the project. Going by Caf ratings, the Douala-based Japoma Stadium – which was supposed to host two matches of the Caf Inter-Club Championships but were cancelled due to the coronavirus – meets the standards.

Limbe, in the English-speaking Southwest region of the country is also set, but there are fears over security issues as armed separationists continue fighting since 2016 for the independence of English speakers in the majority French speaking central African country. In a television interview in December 2018, Caf President Ahmad Ahmad disclosed that besides enormous delays in infrastructure, Cameroon was stripped off the hosting rights of the 2019 tournament to avoid the 2010 experience where some players came under attack by Angola’s Cabinda separationists. In the northern city of Garoua, the 20,000-seater Roumde Adjia Omnisport Stadium is said to be nearing completion, just like the accompanying training grounds.

One of the hotels earmarked to host guests – a four-star facility of 70 rooms located in the Plateau neighbourhood of the city – is said to also be approaching completion.  Analysts fear however that much attention is being given to sports infrastructure to the detriment of other facilities for the Nations Cup such as road networks, hospitals and telecommunication. Raymond Elume, a sports analyst in Yaoundé described the postponement of the tournament to 2022 as “a blessing in disguised” for the country that lacks vital amenities. “I think the postponement of Afcon from January 2021 to 2022 due to Covid-19 gives Cameroon the possibility of having a tournament which we can be proud of,” Elume said. “We would have been ready to a certain degree if we were to host in January next year, but it wouldn’t have been the kind of tournament that we want Africa be proud of.”

Cameroon’s Prime Minister and Head of Government, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute, recently chaired a cabinet meeting in which he recommended that ongoing works for the for the tournament be accelerated and completed in time, despite the postponement. President Biya’s handlers believe he intends to host his peers and football leaders at the opener of the 2022 tournament at the Olembe facility bearing his name as “a sign of his determination to develop sport infrastructure in Cameroon.”

The 87-year-old has nothing to show for in Yaoundé in his close to four decades rule. The main stadium in the capital was constructed and named after his predecessor, Ahmadou Ahidjo, before the 1972 Afcon. The stadium is now standing by as a Plan ‘B’ for the 2022 Afcon opener should the proposed Paul Biya Stadium project fail to meet the standards. Nonetheless, contractors on the site of the 60,000-capacity stadium are hoping to complete the works by November 2020. Franck Mathiere, Project Manager of the Olembe Sports Complex, told journalists late last month that the coronavirus has affected ongoing construction works, “but we are confident about completing the task we have at hand.”

Culled from Nation.co.ke

Cameroon’s Minister of Sports and Physical Education Narcisse Mouelle Kombi said Friday several top officials of the country’s National Karate Federation (Fecakarate) have been suspended indefinitely following allegations of sexual assaults, and the misappropriation of allowances and sports equipment.

Kombi said the officials, including Fecakarate national president Emmanuel Wakam, will appear before an ethics committee for a final judgement, stressing that any actions that tarnish the reputation of the country is unacceptable.

“Sportspersons have the obligation to scrupulously respect ethics and sports values so that Cameroonian sports continue to significantly contribute to the collaboration of the brand image of the country,” he said in a statement.

In July, a report published by a group of karate black belt holders in the capital, Yaounde, accused the Fecakarate executives of harassing and abusing karate learners sexually for close to a decade.

In the report, several alleged victims testified of how they were abused and bullied by both men and women in the federation who at times promised them “sumptuous reward and positions” in exchange for their silence, acceptance and favours.

The scandal highlighted how the officials already under pressure for excesses involving lavish spending, are increasingly facing scrutiny over allegations of corruption and sexual misconduct.

The accused officials have dismissed the allegations as “unfounded.”

Source: Xinhuanet

Christian Bassogog, who starred in Cameroon’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph in 2017, became the second confirmed coronavirus case in the Chinese Super League on Friday.

The 24-year-old forward, who plays for Henan Jianye, is asymptomatic but is in hospital in Guangzhou, health authorities in the southern city said.

There is no health threat to the CSL, which started on July 25, because Bassogog has been in quarantine since arriving in China from Cameroon in mid-July.

Former Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini was previously the only confirmed coronavirus case in China’s top football league.

The 32-year-old Belgian spent three weeks in a Chinese hospital before being released in mid-April.

He was not seriously ill and bounced back to score a seven-minute hat-trick of headers in Shandong Luneng’s season-opener on Sunday.

Bassogog, who was named best player at the 2017 Cup of Nations, was tested upon arrival on July 15 and was negative for coronavirus, Guangzhou health authorities said.

However, during quarantine he was retested and twice returned a positive result.

Henan, beaten 4-3 by Jiangsu Suning in their first match of the virus-delayed season, wrote on the Twitter-like Weibo: “The tougher (the situation is) the farther you go!

“Come on Bassogog! We’re waiting for you!”

Source: News 24

The Vice President of the Southern Cameroons Interim Government, Dabney Yerima joined the football world in paying tribute to the former captain of the Indomitable Lions, Tataw Eta Stephen, who passed away suddenly. The Southern Cameroonian was just 57.

Stephen Tataw’s club career saw him play for two French Cameroonian sides Tonnerre of Yaounde and Olympic of Mvolye. He ended his playing time in Japan with Tosu Futures.

The FIFA 1990 World Cup in Italy earned Tataw legendary status where he was also admired for his combative and physical style. Reports even said he attracted the interest of the likes of Monaco and Bayern Munich.

Vice President Dabney Yerima observed in a tribute late yesterday that “The people of the Federal Republic of Ambazonia are devastated to have learnt of the tragic passing of Captain Stephen Tataw” “The thoughts of everyone both in Ground Zero and in the diaspora are with the Ossing and Tataw’s family, friends, former teammates and everyone he represented.”

By Isong Asu

Carlos Takam physically suffered more than he bargained for in taking a short-notice assignment, but one where his career will benefit moving forward.

The 39-year Cameroonian heavyweight prevailed via unanimous decision over Jerry Forrest in their 10-round main event Thursday evening at MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Judge Max DeLuca had the bout 98-92, with judge Patricia Morse Jarman scoring the contest 97-93 and Dave Moretti a little closer at 96-94 all in favor of Takam, who stepped into the main event on just two weeks’ notice.

The makeshift main event came on relative short notice for both boxers. Forrest was originally due to face Jarrell Miller, the disgraced unbeaten heavyweight who threw away yet another big opportunity after once again providing a dirty drug test through pre-fight random testing.

Luckily for Forrest, the DiBella Entertainment-promoted heavyweight was able to keep a fight date on Top Rank’s show. In came Takam, who was previously training for another ESPN bout only for the opportunity to fall through when scheduled opponent Oscar Rivas suffered an elbow injury and was forced to withdraw.

“The preparation for this fight was not easy,” the 39-year old Takam admitted to Bernardo Osuna after the bout. “I was supposed to fight June 14 veruss Rivas but Mr Rivas could not fight because he had an injury. My promoter (Joe DeGuardia, Star Boxing) called me and said he had a fight for me.

“I checked out Jerry Forrest and said, ‘OK, let’s go.’ He asked if I was sure. I told him I’m ready to fight anybody.”

The lack of full preparation for one another showed in an awkward opening round. Takam—who represented Cameroon in the 2004 Olympics—put his size advantage to use, his well-proportioned 245 ¾-pound frame used to outmuscle his southpaw foe whom he outweighed by 20 pounds.

Both boxers looked sharper in round two. Takam bounced on his toes while Forrest came forward in hopes of working his right jab. Takam’s long left stick was enough to keep the Virginia-bred heavyweight on the outside for much of the frame. Forrest closed the gap, connecting with a left hand which forced Takam—a 39-year old Cameroon native now based out of the greater Las Vegas area—to clinch. Takam closed the frame with a sweeping right hand upstairs.

Forrest grew tentative in round three, struggling to pin down a mobile Takam and failing to let his hands go. A similar pattern played out in round four, where Takam mixed it up between infighting and bouncing on his toes on the outside. Forrest was unable to time the rhythm of the 39-year old contender, resulting in his falling well behind.

Takam continued to outwork a reluctant Forrest in a sloppy round five marred by frequent clinching. A cut over Takam’s eye seemed to have dulled his own attack, though his simply remaining active was enough to continue banking rounds.

Forrest connected with a left hand in round seven, a point in the fight where he seemed poised to turn the tide. Takam shook off the blow, but his own offense was dulled as the sight of his own blood and the pain of a suspected fractured cheek bone appeared to have affected his performance in the second half of the fight. 

Takam effectively circled away from Forrest’s left hand throughout round eight, Action continued to be sorely lacking in the slow-paced main event, with neither fighter letting their hands go in the later rounds. Takam scored the best punch of the frame, connecting with a right hand as Forrest dropped his left hand low.

Round nine was marred by frequent clinching as the pair of heavyweights fought through fatigue. Takam fought behind a flicking jab, while Forrest moved forward but did little once he made his way inside.

Forrest was given the marching orders by head trainer Anthony Chase to go for the knockout as the bout entered the 10th and final round. Instead, it was Takam who took the initiative, connecting with lead right hands, Forrest fought behind a range-finding jab, hoping to land a straight left behind it but never pulling the trigger. A left hand finally connected for the 32-year old southpaw late in the round, but lacked any follow-through as Takam was able to clinch and recreate distance.

Takam led in every statistical category according to Compubox. Takam landed 106 of 455 punches for a 23% connect rate, including 30 body punches. Forrest—seven years Takam’s junior—landed 70 punches out of just 321 thrown for a 22% clip as he falls to 26-4 (20KOs), suffering his second loss in his last three starts.

A narrow defeat by Forrest to Jermaine Franklin last July was met with dispute by most observers, although the Newsport News native remains without a signature win while leaving Vegas with a lot of regret.

Meanwhile, Takam advances to 39-5-1 (28KOs), The win is his fourth straight win after suffering back to back knockout losses to unified heavyweight titlist Anthony Joshua and fellow former title challenger Dereck Chisora.

While another title shot is in his sights even in the twilight of his career, the veteran contender wouldn’t mind making use of his prior training camp as a springboard to such a fight.

“I want to get me Oscar Rivas,” Takam suggested of his next opponent. “I want anyone in the top five at heavyweight or a world title shot if that materializes.”

BoxingScene.com