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Fabrice Lena, Secretary-General of the Popular Action Party, PAP, says the outcome of Wednesday’s intermediate Lions’ defeat is a reflection of the frustrations of the masses.
Morocco thrashed Cameroon’s Intermediate Lions four goals to nil at the second semi-final match in the ongoing African Football Championship.
Following the defeat suffered before home fans at the Limbe Omnisport Stadium, Cameroonians have since taken to social media to voice their frustrations with the ailing nature of the country’s football.
Politicians have also joined in the condemnations, suggesting that the problems plaguing the country’s football are the result of overall bad governance.
“The attitude of Cameroonians today, their comments and reactions after Wednesday’s game, the Social media outburst, is a reflection of the deep suffering of the Anglophone people,” Lena said.
“When an international competition of this magnitude is organized in the whole country when part of the country is at war, its leaders only try to stand logic on its head – even the gods of luck will distance themselves us,” he furthered.
Lena says Cameroon should have turned down the opportunity to host the CHAN until such a time when peace and national concord would have been restored.
“When some parts of a body are suffering, it is difficult to celebrate the talent of the other parts that are free,” said the PAP scribe.
The lion-hearted politician adds that “When a government leads by defrauding trust embedded in them by the citizens, patriotism flees through the window. When those who steal, insult, mismanage, fake, mislead are protected by the soldiers, they are legal thieves. Loyalty can’t be paid to such people.”
Lena regrets that everything in Cameroon has been politicized by the regime of 88-year-old President Paul Biya who has been in power since 1982.
“When everything, including sports meant for everyone, is politicized to the extent of faking test results, selling match tickets in the black market, cutting the money of artists, workers, and volunteers of the organizing committee, citizens can’t be patriotic,” Lena said.
He insists that it is time for the will of the people to be put above the will of a select few who have mismanaged the country for so long.
“When the winning or non-winning of the game played in the country doesn’t benefit the ordinary citizen, the scuffing masses, they can’t support with sincerity,” Lena says.
He concludes that “Let Yaoundé decision-makers, repent, apologize, fix the problems they have caused, relinquish power and then we shall enjoy the diversity of our unity again in a new Republic with new leaders.”
Intermediate Lions’ humiliation: Time to concentrate on burning state issues, not stage-managed patriotism
