The Libya vs. Cameroon encounter that took place yesterday at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benghazi has brought to light a series of unsettling incidents that hint at a possible sabotage against the Indomitable Lions. From the moment they touched down in Libya last Saturday, the Lions found themselves ensnared in a web of adversity.
The welcome at the airport was disingenuous, marked by insincere smiles that foreshadowed the challenges ahead. However, it was within the confines of their hotel that the Cameroonian delegation truly began to endure a harrowing experience. Coincidentally, the neighborhood housing the Lions’ lodgings suddenly faced a shortage of water and electricity, lasting for an inconvenient two days. The players and staff grappled with discomfort in such inhospitable conditions, with the hotel’s generator mysteriously breaking down during their stay. Remarkably, it was only after the match on Tuesday evening that normalcy returned with the restoration of electricity and water.
The hostilities escalated as the Libyans extended their influence even to the internet connection, rationing a meager 1 gigabyte per day to staff members. This deliberate limitation paralyzed communication with the outside world.
Yet, these impediments were merely the prelude to a nightmarish match. The Cameroonians found themselves consistently pushed to their limits, with disruptive tactics aimed at derailing their gameplay. Laser beams repeatedly targeted the faces of Cameroonian players throughout the match, obstructing their ability to perform. This interference seemingly cast a shadow on the referees, who turned a blind eye to blatant acts of foul play.
Despite Cameroonian officials drawing attention to the match commissioner, an Algerian national, he remained inert, possibly still nursing the wounds of Cameroon’s elimination of his country during the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
The national anthems were not spared from disruptions, with the Cameroonian anthem cut short due to a sound system malfunction. Disturbingly, monkey chants resonated from the stands throughout the match, underscoring a hostile atmosphere. Reports even suggest that Samuel Eto’o, President of FECAFOOT, was prohibited from the presidential box.
Yet, amidst these adversities, the heroic Lions managed to secure a draw in a match where every effort seemed orchestrated to ensure their defeat. As the dust settles, attention now turns to the return match scheduled in Cameroon in March 2025. The resilience of the Indomitable Lions, both on and off the field, stands as a testament to their unwavering spirit in the face of adversity.
Cameroon is still top of D on goal difference, as they share four points with Cape Verde and Libya. The next Cameroon vs. Libya encounter is scheduled to take place on March 24, 2025.
