On the instructions of Head of State Paul Biya, the Prime Minister, Head of Government on Wednesday 16th January 2008 at the star building amidst thunderous crowds within and without, bid farewell to the Indomitable lions of Cameroon as they travel to Ghana with the determination to bring back the trophy of the African Football Cup of nations through their captain Song Bahanack..
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In a warm-hearted speech, alongside the Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Augustin Edjoa, the President of the Cameroon Football Federation the Prime Minister reassured the Lions of the blessings of President Paul Biya and that of the entire nation.
The 23 players selected by head coach, Otto Pfister as ecstatic as the boundless multitude that turned out to cheer them, felt the pulse of the nation as the Head of Government from heart to heart expressed the confidence that national and international fans place on them to crown the upcoming national Youth Day, 11th February with a victory on the 10th of Febraury.
Recalling President Paul Biya’s speech during the state ceremony to honour the winners of the 2000 Sydney Olympic games, in which he said that « when the goal is set very high, the means to attain such must first be provided. And then one must believe in it and right to the end, » he said the people of Cameroon were counting on them because they are capable, willing equipped for victory, and in the ware of experienced coaches.
Team captain, Song Bahanag responded by promising that he and his mates were poised to bring the trophy home from Kumasi, Ghana.
Indeed, the Head of Government personally accompanied the Lions to previous cup finals in Abuja, Nigeria and in Bamako, Mali.
So far, the Indomitable Lions have participated in the African Cup of Nations, competition, which is in its 26th edition fourteen times and have won four trophies, namely, in Cote d’Ivoire in 1984, in Morroco in 1988, in Nigeria in 2000 and in Mali in 2002.
Their reception, which Rogobert Song described as highly appreciated, was crowned by a group photo at the entrance of the star with the Prime Minister, his closest collaborators in the persons of the Secretary General, his Chief of Cabinet and the Deputy Secretary General, the Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Head Coach Otto Pfister, the 23 players and the technical experts.
Prime Minister’s Office
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