The build-up to Tuesday’s crucial World Cup qualifier between Cabo Verde and Cameroon has been marked by controversy, with allegations from the Cameroonian delegation that their preparations were obstructed.
In a strong worded statement, the Federação Cabo-Verdiana de Futebol (FCF) has denied the claims, calling them “totally false and unfounded.”
According to the FCF, the Indomitable Lions’ arrival on September 5 at Nelson Mandela International Airport in Praia was handled with full protocol. The Cameroonian delegation of 78 people was received by FCF Vice-President Dr. Fernando Fermino, with border procedures completed in just one hour. The Cabo Verdean federation even went further to cover visa fees for 44 members of the Cameroonian party, in the spirit of reciprocity, a gesture that was reportedly acknowledged and appreciated by Cameroon’s vice-president of FECAFOOT, Mr. Abdou Karim.
The controversy escalated around a training session on September 7 at Estádio da Várzea. FCF clarified that, although regulations permitted only two training sessions, an additional request from Cameroon was granted in collaboration with the Santiago South Regional Football Association. The stadium was made available at 4PM, despite an ongoing veterans’ tournament. One of the scheduled matches was even canceled to accommodate Cameroon.
However, tension arose when the Cameroonian squad entered the pitch while a veterans’ match was still ongoing, which FCF described as “a provocative act of disrespect.” This led to a brief altercation with players and officials before the situation was normalized with the intervention of the federation’s Secretary General and national police. Despite the resolution, Cameroon reportedly refused to proceed with their session.
In its defense, FCF emphasized that Cameroon had already trained at the National Stadium, the official match venue, on September 6 and again on September 8, ensuring they had adequate preparation time.
“The accusations made by Cameroon’s delegation were intended to create controversy where none existed,” the statement read, stressing that no formal complaints were raised during the official pre-match technical meeting.
As both teams prepare to clash in Praia, the FCF has reiterated its commitment to fair play and hospitality, while dismissing what it sees as an attempt by Cameroon to manipulate the narrative ahead of the encounter.
Copyright©2025 kick442.com-Cameroon
All rights reserved. This material and any other digital content on this platform may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, written, or distributed in full or in part, without written permission from our management.
This site is not responsible for the content displayed by external sites
French 
English