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Indomitable Lions Poised for Victory (03.02.2004)
The Minister of Youth and Sports, Bidoung Mkpatt, on Sunday night held a meeting with the Cameroonian delegation in Tunisia. The meeting at El Mouradi Palace (where the Lions are based) was to enable the Minister, who has been out of Tunisia for a week, to get abreast with the situation of Cameroonians. It brought together the players of the national team, their administrators and coaches, officials of the Cameroon Football Federation, representatives of the cultural delegation, delegates of supporters and students, among others.
Minister Bidoung Mkpatt told the players that he was bearer of a special message from the Head of State and the Prime Minister. "The Head of State has instructed me to tell you that you should qualify for the quarter finals and win all your matches, while the Prime Minister says you should be efficient. That you have the blessings of all Cameroonians", he said. The Minister however did not hide his disappointment at the fact that the team has conceded four goals in two matches. "We have never had this before. Cameroonians are worried. All what you have done so well over the years cannot be sent down the drains. You have to correct the shortcomings of the last two matches", he noted.
The Head of the Cameroonian delegation reminded the players of the immense responsibility that they have. "The hope of the entire nation is on you. The victory of the national team is the victory of Cameroon. This is the time to prove that you are the best", he elucidated. The Minister recalled the numerous glories of the national football team and said Winfried Schafer’s boys are capable of winning the African Cup of Nations for a record five times.
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"Only your fighting spirit and sense of hard work will bring victory. You are the best and we know that you are the best", he noted with confidence.
Minister Bidoung Mkpatt enjoined supporters to desist from all provocative uncouth actions such as parading with a coffin bearing the opponent’s flag as was the case in Mali. "The only way you can support your team is by cheering them up with patriotic songs", he said. The coaches were praised for a job well done and the players given an opportunity to access their state of preparedness. To captain Song Bahanag, tranquillity reigns in the group and they have just one objective in mind: win today’s encounter. This was buttressed by the Director of Sports, Robert Ndzana and the Itinerant Ambassador, Roger Milla. "I have been with the team since your departure and I can assure you that the players are morally and technically prepared", the roving ambassador said.
The President of FECAFOOT, Iya Mohamed, went back to the issue of the Lions’ controversial outfit. He explained to the Minister that February 7th is the deadline given by CAF and the organising committee for the team to start using outfits conventional. Today’s match is therefore expected to be the last to be played with the one-strip outfit. "Measures have already been taken to ensure that we comply with this instruction," Iya Mohammed said.
Serenity reigns in the Lions’ camp as they prepare to face Egypt today. The players are also in an upbeat mood. Since Friday, they have been having two training sessions each day. Financially, there is no cause for concern as the players’ allowances were paid last night by the Minister of Youth and Sports.
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