Angu Lesley Ngwa Akonwi
Football Writer,kick442.com-Cameroon
The celebrations of Issa Tchiroma Bakary’s victory across Cameroon may have started too soon. Supporters of Issa Tchiroma Bakary — a prominent political figure and lifelong Cotonsport de Garoua fan whose political party was coincidentally likened to Cotonsport by minister Atanga Nji Paul — were out in the streets on Sunday night, singing and waving flags after Cameroon’s presidential election.
But as football fans would say, the goal is still under review.
The Constitutional Council of Clement Atangana, Cameroon’s final arbiter of electoral disputes, has yet to confirm the results — prompting commentators to liken the situation to a VAR (Video Assistant Referee) check after a tight offside call.
The humour-laced caution follows recent remarks by Territorial Administration Minister Paul Atanga Nji, who sparked debate after comparing Cameroon’s political contest to Cotonsport de Garoua facing Real Madrid.
“It’s like Cotonsport playing Real Madrid,” Atanga Nji said. “You might think it’s impossible, but in football — as in politics — anything can happen.”
That comment, originally intended as an illustration of determination and belief in his ruling CPDM party, has since become the metaphor of the moment.
There is a school of thought that strongly believes VAR decisions always work for Real Madrid. But why do they say so? Surely we will look into that in our next piece.
Now, with Cotonsport-linked supporters celebrating what they see as victory for their political camp, social media has been quick to remind them that, just like in football, a goal must first be confirmed by the officials.
“Cotonsport fans are already dancing before VAR,” joked one user on X (formerly Twitter). “Let’s wait for the Constitutional Council to confirm the goal before opening the champagne.”
In Cameroon’s blend of football passion and political theatre, the analogy feels fitting. Just as a goal can be ruled out after review, premature political celebrations may prove short-lived if the final decision doesn’t go as expected.
Until the Constitutional Council delivers its verdict, Cameroon watches — part stadium, part courtroom — as the outcome of this “match” hangs in the balance.
If events of 1992 are anything to by then those celebrating must rather pause and monitor more to gather elements of a ‘technical protest’ in a football game if need be. Otherwise they should be ready to dance in the rain when Real Madriders order for ‘as e de pain them’ by popular Nigerian Artist, Timaya.
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