During this month of CAN 2022, several fan-zones have emerged in Cameroon. In the capital Yaoundé, the one erected in the district of Tsinga meets its success, even when the Indomitable Lions are not out. Football, music, catering, good atmosphere… There’s something for everyone.
From our special correspondent in Yaoundé,
50 years after having organized its first CAN, Cameroon is doing it again. The 33rd edition of the great continental competition began on January 9 and will end on February 6, with the final scheduled for the Olembé stadium. A month of football, therefore, in a country where we love football.
Small problem: difficult to bring 26 million Cameroonians into all stages. So, fan-zones have sprung up everywhere, to best satisfy as many people as possible.
At the foot of the Palais des Congrès, in Yaoundé, in the Tsinga district, one of them grew. On a roundabout, around a stele commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Tsinga fan-zone extends. Yaoundeans and other visitors are invited there from 3 p.m. to midnight.
► Schedule, match results and team standings
Good food also in the spotlight
On this evening of Sunday, December 16, the reigning African champions, Algeria, are playing their second match of the competition, a few days after their draw against Sierra Leone. In Tsinga, two screens project the match from 8 p.m. A bit everywhere, stands offer drinks and food to the public.
Mbelle Chimène, a cook, runs one of them with her little sister and a friend. They are present every day and offer braised meat and fish. After a week of competition, it goes well “, assures Mbelle Chimène, between two grills.
Usually, the young woman offers her cooking in delivery. The CAN and the fan-zone offer it new visibility and customers. A godsend for Mbelle Chimène, who would like to open a restaurant. ” I like cooking, and football too. But be careful, I have my preferences “, she confides. Of course, the Cameroonian selection monopolizes the first place.
Good-natured bickering
8:45 p.m .: still 0-0 between Algeria and Equatorial Guinea. The televised commentaries are silent and the music comes out of the speakers. During the quarter-hour break, the occupants of the fan-zone will listen to the makossa of Émile Kangue, a great figure in Cameroonian music.
Then the game resumes. The minutes go by when suddenly, the Fennecs concede a goal. The spectators may be Cameroonians, many choose a camp. The pro-Equatorial Guinea are jubilant, those who support Algeria grumble. Emmanuel, a construction worker, is one of them.
When the referee canceled a goal by Youcef Belaïli in the last minutes, Emmanuel bickered loudly with the supporters of the Nzalang Nacional. Nobody agrees, but it all ends in laughter.
Off-side ? Not offside? The debate rages on! But always in a good mood
CAN 2022: debate around an offside in the Tsinga fan-zone, in Yaoundé
“This CAN is huge”
Okay, the defeat of the Algerians annoys Emmanuel. But basically, he supports above all the Indomitable Lions. With this CAN, when he is not at the stadium, Emmanuel comes to Tsinga almost every evening. ” This fan zone is a very good idea. It allows you to share emotions “, he assures, fond of” beautiful football “.
As such, Emmanuel loved Sierra Leone’s first two games. The draw obtained earlier against Ivory Coast in additional time (2-2) delighted him. In the fan-zone, the atmosphere was euphoric “, he swears:” I would so love to see them go to the semi-finals! It’s amazing, what she does for her first participation. »
” Good times like that, we haven’t experienced so many in Cameroon. It’s true that we had the CHAN, but it was not the same fervor. Suddenly, this CAN, it’s huge “savors Emmanuel. The next three weeks should delight him.