The Rugby Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, last week suffered a humiliating defeat at the Middle East-Africa Rugby League Championship as a result of lack of funds.
The Middle East-Africa Rugby League Championship started on Tuesday, September 27 and ended on Sunday October 2 in Ghana, with the participation of four teams from four countries, including Cameroon.
Prior to their first game against Nigeria on Wednesday, September 28, the team was barely able to provide flight tickets for its players.
According to the team’s coach Paul Youmbi, the team was to consist of at least 17 players, but they were able to secure just 12 tickets.
“On Monday, were able to obtain 9 flight tickets for 9 players who left the country the following day… We continued struggling and on Tuesday we were able to obtain 3 more tickets for 3 more players, who left Cameroon on Wednesday and arrived 30 minutes to the kickoff,” disclosed Paul Youmbi in a viral video.
Due to fatigue, the Cameroon National were bound to become vulnerable to their opponent, Nigeria as they were beaten 36 to 2.
“Despite the problems of understaffing and late arrival on Ghanaian territory, the players gave their all like Lions on the field to defend the Green Red Yellow as much as possible. With or without the full roster in the next game, we will come back stronger,” reassured the team on the Facebook handle, after their encounter with Nigeria.
In the same viral video, the team’s coach could be seen in tears, pleading for support to enable more players obtain a ticket for the next encounter, which was scheduled for Saturday, October 1.
He said, “These children have given their all to defend their country, do not deserve this. I beg you all, help us to get 4 more tickets before Saturday. Just 4 more tickets! It cannot be more than Cameroon, please help us!,” lamented Paul Youmbi.
The Rugby Indomitable Lions were, however, thrashed 16 – 0 by Kenya on Saturday, October 2, 2022.
By Amina Hilda
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