Training ground blackout leaves Cameroon boss fuming (07.02.2002)
BAMAKO
Cameroon`s preparations for their African Nations Cup semi-final against Mali suffered another glitch here Wednesday when their final training session got underway in near-darkness.
The champions, who play the host nation in the last four on Thursday, arrived at Bamako`s March 26 Stadium early Wednesday evening to the apparent surprise of staff on duty at the venue.
Having been let in, the `Indomitable Lions` and a contingent of journalists were then directed to pitchside only to find gates locked, forcing players to clamber up and over railings onto the
pitch.
With their patience already wearing thin, Cameroon`s management were then furious to discover that floodlights had not been turned on, prompting angry words from manager Winfried Schafer.
After a 15-minute delay stadium staff finally turned on the lights and the training session got underway.
On Tuesday Cameroon had arrived in Bamako from their camp in Sikasso and became embroiled in a row over their designated hotel, branding it unsuitable because it was `like a market.`/p
They were rehoused in a newly constructed dormitory complex on the outskirts of the capital.
