AFCON 2017: President Biya Receives Victorious Lions

Cameroon’s Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad has been given a special state reception by the country’s president Paul Biya.

The Indomitable Lions, who lifted the trophy on Sunday after beating Egypt 2-1 in the final in Gabon, attended a ceremony in Yaounde yesterday.

They presented the AFCON 2017 trophy to President Biya at Unity Palace.
Later, they travelled in open-top vehicles through the streets of the capital to parade the trophy to fans.

Cameroon’s players were given medals by the president, who said their victory should be celebrated by Cameroonians as one nation.
At the end of the ceremony Cameroon First Lady Chantal Biya posed for a series of photos with the players – at one point she used Fabrice Ondoa’s phone to take a ‘selfie’ with them.

Cameroon’s success in Gabon ended a 15-year wait to win the tournament again and gave them their fifth title.
The country will host the next edition of the Nations Cup in 2019.

Meanwhile, after turning down an offer to represent Cameroon at the AFCON 2017, West Brom defender Allan Nyom insists he has no regrets.

Despite the absence of experienced players such as Nyom and Joel Matip, the Indomitable Lions defied all odds and claimed the 31st edition of the biennial tournament.

Speaking to the BBC website yesterday, Nyom revealed that after initially rejecting his country’s call-up he changed his mind, but coach Hugo Broos told him there was no place for him.

After winning the trophy on Sunday, Broos said those Cameroonian players not at the tournament would rue their decision.
“Let him (Broos) know that I don’t have any regrets,” Nyom told BBC World Football.

“I heard what Broos said. It made me laugh because he knew what happened and he knew why I was not there.
“It’s true, at first I didn’t want to go, but afterwards I changed my mind. But he knew that and he knows what he told me, so I have no worries, no regrets.

“If before the tournament they had told me ‘Cameroon is going to win and you are not part of the squad’, I don’t mind because I’m happy I’m playing for my club – it’s much more important for me.

“If I had been there, it could stall my club career.”
The 28-year-old was one of seven Cameroon players to decide to miss the tournament, with Liverpool’s Matip another high-profile absentee.