Football In Cameroon

As many of you know, soccer is called football in much of the world.  Here in Cameroon, football is huge.  The Indomitable Lions are the national team and have made it to the World Cup on several occasions.

Yesterday was the final game to determine if Cameroon would qualify as one of just five African countries to go to the World Cup.  Since we don’t have a TV, we took a huge bowl of popcorn and the kids to a local bar.  Yes, food and children are welcome.   

We were five minutes late, but we could hear the cheers all over Bamenda when Cameroon scored the first goal three minutes into the match.  We ordered lots of soda—pineapple, sprite, coke, and Djino, and settled in with the local people.  There was so much commentary from the people in the bar that you could not hear the TV—and did we mention that the whole bar was watching on one 32” screen?

Emily was not interested in the game, so once the popcorn was finished, she collected bottle tops from people and entertained herself with a game.  The rest of us were glued to the TV which became fuzzier and fuzzier.  Finally someone took it down and brought another 32” TV, with a much clearer picture.

Cameroon was playing Tunisia, which is located in northwest Africa.  All the Tunisian players were Arabic.  The Indomitable Lions totally dominated the game except for one impressive goal by Tunisia.  The final score was 4-1.  Cameroon heads to the World Cup next summer in Brazil!  It is nice to have Cameroon in the headlines for good news.

The game ended just in time for us to dash to Sunday evening Mass.  We prayed for the victory of our national team and prayed for the unrest in parts of our country with the extreme Muslims.  Here in Bamenda, we have such good relations with Muslims; I wish it were so worldwide.

Meanwhile, LMH football is in its infancy here on our campus.  Some Christian missionary visitors from Kansas City entrusted us with 25 balls, cones, whistles and a small bit of cash.  Already the Martins, the Newburns, and CATUC (the Catholic university on the grounds where we live) are joining forces to start a football program.  We will keep you posted on this exciting new project.

We often say that the reason we are so happy here in Africa is that rather than focusing on what we don’t have, we are very grateful for what we do have.  Thankful people are happy people!  Happy Thanksgiving to all!

-Pete & Joy