By Bakah Derick
Sunday 9 January 2022 is finally here. Cameroon and Cameroonians have waited for this day since 1972. it's 50years of waiting and the day is finally here. President Paul Biya who has not attended any major public event in the last two years has accepted to attend the opening of the 33rd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). This must be a dream come true for the president and his country.
For a football loving country like Cameroon with a record as five time winners, today is not just a day; it is an extraordinary day.
Across Cameroon's capital Yaounde, the flags fly in disorder, national football team gadgets of various formats and designs are on display in shops and by hawkers. The demand for tickets is high and the black market is making serious business. Tickets for 4.000FCFA now selling at 10,000, those for 6.000 at 15.000 and 10.000 at 20-25.000. A ticket or an accreditation card is cherished like a piece of diamond.
Many criticised the government of Cameroon and the confederation of African Football ((CAF) for conditioning participation on vaccination against COVID-19 and presentation of a negative test of the padenmic. Such criticism has died with time as the day draws near. Approved vaccination and testing centers are crowded with many scrambling for the jab and the test. Surely not everyone will have be lucky to be vaccinated or tested despite their willingness to do so because of possible favouritism and black market emergence with the yellow cards and negative test results already in circulation for sale. Before me, someone has paid 30000 for his card and test just to ensure they don't miss the day no matter what.
The Olembe Stadium is new, and out of active metropolitan Yaounde. The preparations from supporters suggest some may not get worried if they have to walk they way to the stadium and back. Waking up this Sunday in Yaounde with vuvuzelas blowing allover as early as 5am turns this day to a new Christmas day for children who never wait for it.
Hotels and small businesses especially food and drink are doing well with value added services like giant screens. It is part of the dream for the long awaited AFCON.
All 24 contestants are here and all is set to begin. This will be at 5pm when host Cameroon face off with Burkina Faso.
A very passionate Smauel Eto'o Fils, President of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) addressed #TeamCameroon with an invitation to turn 24million Cameroonians to dreamer by dreaming themselves. "You are at home, you are playing infront of your parents.. You have the support and prayers of all Cameroonians..." he said holding his hands together and bending down as if to say he is actually begging the players.
The country is ready to pay 114million FCFA to each player should they give Cameroon another tittle. 33million has been paid already to each of them as participation bonus. This is a reflection of how much even the country's top leadership desires a win. To get to the winning line, the journey for Cameroon starts today.