ACTUALITE |
13.06.2002
Cameroonians express mixed feelings over Lions’ premature elimination from world cup
Reaction to Cameroon’s early exit from the World Cup has been mixed. Respondents interviewed in Yaounde and Bamenda yesterday did not pin down the exit to any particular individual. While some said the team should pay the price for their mediocrity, others laid the blame on the doorstep of the coach whom they accused of making irrelevant replacements.
Still, another group of respondents attributed the early exit to poor management by youth and sports minister Bidoung Mkpatt who meddled into the club’s affairs. Some
respondents even gave a political undertone to the elimination, while others attributed it to ill luck. The former welcomed the defeat against Germany, saying it would enable Cameroonians shift their focus to the 23 June elections, while the latter said the Lions played well but were not lucky to win.
I think the blame goes to the Lions because in the first half of the match they were being pushed, then the mid fielders were not very performant. So the Lions take the blame themselves.
Jean Ketcha, Yaounde
The team pays the price because their manner of play and comportment was not so good. We feel a gap in the team.
Patamo Marcel, Yaounde
In my opinion, the Lions tried their best, but were unfortunate since they did not win. It was just bad luck but the players tried their best, so I encourage them.
Ka François, Yaounde
They could have done better but I blame the referee and the technical display of the players because Mboma was not in his best but was allowed to play for too long. Olembe too messed when he reached infront of the goal post but did not score.
Zegou, Yaounde
The coach did not reason well to allow someone like Mboma to play for 60 minutes. He was supposed to replace him once he was tired instead of giving the hope that he would perform. The coach had some problems with the team, he does not know how to place his players.
Didi Desmond, Yaounde
I cannot say something at the moment because when you experience something you cannot express. What I have to say will be reserved until after must have recovered from the shock.
Belinga Pierre François, Yaounde
When the Lions win all Cameroonians are happy. Now they have lost we must understand that football is a game of chance just like the horoscope. So nobody is expected to pay the price, we just have to accept it.
Mitchelle, Yaounde
Since morning I’ve been nursing some fear that the Lions would be defeated.
It is normal in the game of football there must be a winner and a loser. Thus nobody is to the blame.
Binkar Gerald, Yaounde
The players tried their best but the error they made is that they drew their first match with Ireland. We cannot say the players did not play their role nor can we blame anybody, when the illluck has arrived.
Nanda Gaston, Yaounde
Cameroon has always been a lucky country and they succeed. They have used the victory of the Lions to do politics with. Actually the national team had problems of transport and match benefits and many others. The elections are placed just in the middle of the World Cup in order to exploit their victory
and steal elections to claim that everything is moving in Cameroon. Look at the 20 May Boulevard. It has been designed with the World Cup. How can the Cup reach Cameroon with all these political problems.
Di Bunje Armstrong, Yaounde
Cameroon will pay the cost of this defeat. Now the moment has come when we have to do real politics. Paul Biya has been taking cover under the national team for too long. Time has come for Cameroonians to open up. Political parties going for the 23 June elections should take advantage of this defeat to rally and sensitise their electorate to vote out Biya.
Sama G., lab technician, Yaounde
The champions should pay the price. France has lost and the Lions have also lost so both sides have to pay the price. However back home, I think the Lions lost because there was some mismanagement at the level of the administrative staff. The players had to delay in France because their bonuses were not paid
in time and things like that. They say the minister of youth and sports was the sole cause of it.
Cooky Nguty, CHU Yaounde
It is Cameroon that has lost the match so it is every Cameroonian who is responsible for the defeat. In my opinion we have lost, it’s OK.
Françoise, Yaounde
First of all, I’m very disappointed that we have been prematurely ousted from the World Cup competition. The blame for this defeat does not only rest on the players or trainers but it involves all Cameroonians. We expected the team to do better especially following their performance in the Nations’ Cup and other
competitions.
Voussou, teacher, Yagoua, Far North
I would say that the players were not on top form in this match. The Germans fought harder than us. So we accept the defeat honourably, all Cameroonians. No individual should carry the cross for this painful defeat.
Essomba, teacher, GBHS Etoug-Ebe, Yaounde
The match was at our reach but the last substitution was uncalled for. If the coach saw it necessary, he should have put in Ndiefi, not Job. I would say that responsibility for this early defeat rests on the management of the team.The players to me did just their work.
Sukoni Jacques, Yaounde
The Germans were just above us so nobody is to blame for the Lions’ defeat. It happens.
Jules-Bernard, applicant, Yaounde
Nobody is responsible. What has happened has happened. The players played well but luck was not on their side so we accept what has taken place.
Jean Gastin, businessman, Yaounde
I may not blame the Lions’ defeat on a particular individual, be it players or management but I would say the defence was not the best today. There were leakages here and there.
Doumam Zeri André, Yaounde
I think first of all the blame should rest on management because the day they were supposed to take off from France the team had problems concerning their bonuses which were not paid in time. This delay was the start of ill-luck for them.
Nfor Ephraim, businessman, Yaounde
The government should pay the price for our premature ouster from the WorldCup. The players and coach did their best, though the players were not in unity as usual. Their problems started in France where they had to revolt before their dues were paid. Our government has never learnt any lesson and they continue to make the same error each time. The coach did his best and if
the team went as they did during the 1990 World Cup where they had no hitches we should have gone through to the 8th final.
Nkwain Thaddeus, Satellite Insurance, Yaounde
Physically and tactically, the Germans were more than our players. So the players bear the cross for this defeat. The team may do better in future because the players are good individually.
Christian Din Dikn, Yaounde
I don’t blame any particular individual but I think the players played the match timidly from beginning right to the end. They were demoralised by the first goal and reaction was not forth coming.
Mendogo Nkodo Eric, civil engineer, Yaounde
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