President Biya Addresses Cameroon from the Psych Unit

By Innocent Chia
It was delusional, non-descript gibberish by an apparently perturbed and delusional head of state of La Republique du Cameroun, Paul Biya to a nation on the brink of decomposition. Rather than assure the people, the run-away President, shuttling between the comfort of one of his many hideout mansions in Sweden and the hospital he built with stolen tax-payer money in Baden Baden - Germany, insulted Camerounians in a tirade of rage. It was not only the absence of class that caught the attention of the world, Camerounians, and yours truly. It was the absence of substance and something much more profound - Biya never takes responsibility for anything.

This time around the President of Sorcerers blamed the infectious violence on "apprentice sorcerers in the shadows"!He just blew his open-secret cover of running a Rosicrucian country where every Minister goes to the Tsinga Lodge in Yaounde during lunch break. But never mind that. The point is that this absentee-landlord President is not in touch with the realities on the ground. He hardly knows how much a liter of kerosene costs because he, of course, does not know any person that could possibly be using kerosene in his schizophrenic bubble-world. Nor does he know the price of a liter of gas at the pump. How would he know that when his mendicant bandit Ministers know not what hoops the ordinary Camerounian must go through to fuel their car. A round trip from Yaounde to Bamenda and back is in the upwards of CFA 150,000frs (roughly $360) in gas money on a stretch of less than 500 miles. Be reminded that medical doctors have a monthly salary of less than CFA140,000frs!

The self-dubbed Lion-man has been unflappable in the face of an economic tailspin that is an everyday reality for the average Cameroonian living on less than a dollar a day. But the courage that is associated with Lions has recently been tested... The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon were not only claw-less but clueless as the Pharaohs of Egypt humiliated and knocked them out at the just-ended African Cup of Nations soccer tournament in Ghana. It is important to make this association since the Lion-man has often made political capital out of the victories of the Lions, and it is true that he stole the Lion logo from the Indomitable Lions. Therefore, the mummification of the Lions was not only a setback on the soccer arena. It was the sign of a bigger fall in the making for the Lion man, President Paul Biya.

His buffoonery was also in full display with the claim that a sour opposition, that faced its worst waterloo yet at the 2007 parliamentary and municipal twin-elections , had tricked the youth of the country into the violent outbursts. So what if they did? What has he done for the youth of Cameroon? The unemployment rate is at over 30 percent! University graduates move from their student rooms back into the boys quarters of the homes of their parents. The less fortunate ones have to eke out a living the best way they can, very often becoming prostitutes, thieves and other men of the underworld. It is also part Biya's legacy that La Republique du Cameroun has won three heavy weight titles as the most corrupt nation in world. He also did it in style - two quick wins in 1998 and 1999 and then one more in 2007.

He could not have made his diatribe of February 28th from the United States. He would not even do it in France, where Sarkozi is spitting him out. No, not Britain either. He would not do it in Germany. He chose to go next door to little peaceful Sweden where there are hardly any Cameroonians to fling rotten tomatoes at him. But this is what the one or two Cameroonians living out there must seek to do: Storm the Embassy of Cameroun in Sweden and let the Swedish ask him to go back and fix the problems in his rotten nation. He can either go back or seek political asylum. It is his choice. He either steps down or be pushed out against his will.

Innocent Chia
Citizen Journalist
Email: innochia@gmail.com

Engaging Diasporan Churches in the Unraveling Unrests in Cameroon

By Innocent Chia
With a rising death toll from popular unrests and characteristic shallow, knee-jerk responses from the the government of Paul Biya's Republique du Cameroun, the time is more than now for citizens of the zombie nation in the Diaspora to network anew with social organizations that can leverage alternate pressure for change. The Church is one avenue that must be considered for its worth: any Church, any denomination is accessible to both old and new members and always has wide-open and embracing arms. Every church has resources and a reaching ability the reach of which one can only begin to fathom. This is not time to proselytize on how the Church came with the Bible in one hand and the gun on another to subjugate the African to the lowest form of human indignity - slavery. No, it is time to recognize the value or potential of our respective Churches in the Diaspora in bringing community and world attention to the making of a second Rwanda/Burundi and Darfur in La Republique du Cameroun.

Whichever Church you attend has a Sunday(news)bulletin or flyer with varying contents including prayer requests. These prayer requests and other items are submitted to the Church administrative assistant before a particular day of the week for inclusion into that week's bulletin. An easy assignment for each and every caring person is to find out when they can submit the prayer request regarding the socio-economic and political unrests in Cameroun.

The first strategic reason for this move is that of bringing attention to the Church about what is happening in La Republique du Cameroun. What is happening, you might ask? President Biya is working on changing the Constitution of Cameroon in favor of limitless terms to the Presidency. If this change were to happen, he would be a monarch. This blog has called for U.S based Camerounians and friends to write to their State representatives on letting any pressure to bear on Paul Biya. Also, the random and wanton civilian killings by Cameroun's Forces of Law and Order constitutes gross human rights abuse.

Because Churches are part of a community, a prayer request and conversation with the Priest or Pastor ushers in the second strategic reason. By the Pastor or Priest praying about the situation, the wheels are set in motion for discussions in the community about what is happening in your country. Other Church members start asking questions about it. This means that we must also educate and familiarize ourselves about the myriad of social, economic, political, regional and ethnic schisms plaguing Cameroun. Churches would rather pray and act now than regret further down the road when it is a full-blown genocide. It is something for you to leave on the table for the Priest or pastor to think about.

There is no telling who attends Church with you. But never underestimate the power of one - you. You have the potential and power to change the world around you if only you do what is within your power to do. Yes we can do the little things. Yes we can walk to the Priest or Pastor and tell them about the plight of our brothers and sisters that are dying by the second in the dungeon called Republique du Cameroun. Yes we can ask them to pray for it. Yes we can ask them to share the story with their colleagues of faith. We can do this little.

We can push further and ask if anyone in the congregation may know of someone in a newsroom somewhere that can be of help. Remember to ask and it shall be given unto you. We have to ask our clergy for this favor. We have to ask the fellow brethren in Church and they may point to someone that can carry the story to a major news outlet. But even if that does not happen, the audience that we have in the Church is not a negligible starting point. Step up to the plate. Step up to the rostrum. Just imagine Joel Osteen of the Lakewood Church in Houston sharing the word on his Sunday telecast! Wouldn't that be something? Do not think so much about it. Just do this little. You can. And best of all...the access is free.

Innocent Chia
Citizen Journalist
Email: innochia@gmail.com

Poll Results

By Hinsley Njila & Innocent Chia
Unlike the Biya regime, Innocentsdeal is the place where youʼll always find FREE and FAIR elections to vote your mind and get your voice heard with absolutely NO fear of being killed by an incompetent and laughable police force.

Here are the results of what you said in two of our most recently closed polls:

Although the lions lost to Egypt during the recent Africa Nations cup, 71% of those who answered the question of whether or not they would win it all said yes they would. 14% of those who answered this question were correct in predicting that the lions wonʼt, while another 14% remained undecided. To the 71% who believed the lions would win it all, we encourage you to try your luck at the other surveys currently running. At least your opinion is heard.

When asked if Rigobert Song should play in future competitions with the lions, 50% of you said this better be his last, 18% said why not, theyʼd still like to see more of him. 12% of respondents said they couldnʼt be bothered, while 18% said maybe if he proves himself before future competitions.


Thanks for participating in our surveys. Send your reactions to the results in the comment section. Innocentsdeal is the one place you should be sure your voice will ALWAYS be heard.

Carnage in Cameroon: Over 9 Civilians Killed in Police Gunfire

By Innocent Chia
Reports from the boiling cauldron known as La Republique du Cameroun are tallying over 11 deaths between Saturday February 23rd and Monday 25th, 2008 resulting from live bullets fired by the Police. Two of the victims were killed on Saturday in what is described as offspring action from an aborted protest rally of the opposition Social Democratic Front (SDF)in Douala, the nation's economic heartbeat. The Littoral Provincial Coordinator and SDF parliamentarian, Jean Michel NINTCHEU organized the rally to protest the impending monarchization of La Republique du Cameroun by President Biya and his blind Governors who are banning meetings throughout the country. Even the American Embassy is Yaounde is warning its citizens to stay on the alert.

Today's "Warden Message" emanating from the U.S Embassy in La Republique du Cameroun is calling on "American citizens throughtout Cameroon ... to avoid large public gatherings or demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations. American citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times".

Characterizing the climate of demonstrations as unpredictable, the Embassy communique to its citizens notes that "Protests appear to encompass both political and economic grievances". The Embassy pro-actively protects American life by informing workers that "...the American School of Douala are closed, while others, including the U.S. Embassy Branch office will operate on the basis of liberal leave for employees who are unable to safely arrive at the workplace".

In the meantime, a Minister in Biya's voodoo Rosicrucian cabinet says that Cameroonians are poor copies of what has been going down in Kenya, and that it cannot and will not happen in Cameroon. The rule of law and order must prevail, whatever the cost.

But the serious questions that must be answered to avert civilian unrests never seem to preoccupy the trigger-happy murderers. No one is asking what should be done about the killing gas prices that are causing taxi-drivers and motor-bike drivers to go on strike. It is inconceivable that U.S motorists are feeling the pinch at the pump with gas prices averaging $3.10 a gallon; but Cameroonians are paying $6.00 at the pump per gallon. (700 CFA frs per liter. 4+ liters make a gallon. $1.00 is equal to 425 Cfa frs.The average Cameroonian survives on less that the price of a bubble-gum a day)

Why would the Minister worry so much about the price of gas at the pump in La Republique du Cameroun when he does not pay for it. Ministers and every ranking Directors have government-issued gas coupons. All the Minister does is to cut some of the coupons and give to the chauffeur to go fill up the tank. Occasionally, they give the coupons to their friends and family for cash conversions. It therefore does not hurt the Minister because even the stolen money reaped from public coffers is not spent on gas or on feeding his / her family.

It is no wonder that Armed Security Forces are often resorting to live bullets whenever they are called upon to intervene in civilian demonstrations. The leaders are so far-removed from the anguish of the ordinary citizen. It explains why the Minister of Forestry, Ebong Ngolle Ngolle has been shooting his mouth around with calls for America to not meddle in the affairs of Cameroon. With ties to the family of Prime Minister Ephraim Inoni, no one expects any better from one who was considered for dead when Biya reshuffled his last cabinet. He needs to show his allegiance to Inoni and Biya if he must complete the house that he is building in Tombel.

In the meantime, the fire is only starting at the foot of the Chariot of the gods. The warning signs have been there for all to see. Band-aid, quick-fix solutions will not fix the plethora of problems in Cameroun if this leadership is not forced out of power by the people. There is a price tag in human lives for freedom. Even Jesus died...to pay a price - For salvation.

Innocent Chia
Citizen Journalist
Email: innochia@gmail.com.

Call to Action: Sample Letter

Thanks to the generosity and forethought of Pa Fru Ndeh we have a sample letter that you can send to your representative. Feel free to edit the letter to suit yourself. Whatever you do, please write. Again, go to www.congress.org. Enter your zip code and find out the name and contact information of your representative. Email the representative. Share the information with your family and friends and encourage them to do same.
Innocent Chia


Rep/Senator's Name Here
Rep/Senator Address Line 1
Rep/Senator Address Line 2
City, State, Zip Code

Dear Representative XXXX,

I am appealing for your help in stopping the President of Cameroon Paul Biya from changing the Constitution of the Republic of Cameroon to eternalize himself in power. President Biya plans to do so during the March 2008, parliamentary session, in the capital city of Cameroon, Yaounde.

The current crises in Chad where there was an attempted coup d'etat and the Kenyan crises attests to the fact that many Africans are incapable of changing their leaders through democratic and legitimate means. There is a lot of anger and tension in Cameroon and the Gov't has stifled the voices of the masses by hijacking the electoral process. Cameroon is almost at the brink of a civil war and the situation can explode at any time. It is a time bomb.

President Paul Biya's has been Head of State or President of Cameroon since 1982,that is 25 years today. From 1975 until 1982 he was Prime Minister for 7 years. According to article 6, section 2 of the 1996 Constitition of The Republic of ameroon,President Paul Biya is serving his last and final term, and is therefore barred from running for office.

Article 6
(2) The President of the Republic shall be elected for a term of office of 7 (seven) years. He shall be eligible for re-election once.

By the year 2011,President Paul Biya will be 78 years old.We think President Biya has no new ideas to offer Cameroonians, is completely void of any leadership skills that can appropriately lead Cameroon into the 21st century and beyond. President Biya now forms a sore to Cameroonians and is a huge liability to the people, and also American oil interests in the Gulf of Guinea. The American Ambassador, Janet Garvey has already voiced her opposition, the U.S. Governments' stance, on amending the Constitution of Cameroon to eternalize President Paul Biya in power.

I urge you as my Representative/Senator to bring pressure to bear on President George W. Bush to call on President Biya of Cameroon, not to modify article 6,section 2. President Biya will lead Cameroon to a civil war should this happen. President Biya deserves to retire. President Biya needs to send a bill to parliament on the Presidential Retirement package, rather than a bill to effect a Life Presidency.

Thank you very much, and I hope I can count on you, for this is of grave concern to me.

Sincerely,

Your Name Here

Call to Action: Cameroonians in the US Can Stop Biya's Life Presidency

By Innocent Chia
The death of over a thousand Kenyans is not daunting President Paul Biya of La Republique du Cameroon and his ruling Cameroon Peoples Democratic Movement (CPDM) from pursuing their plan to change the Constitution in favor of eliminating any limits to his Presidency. It is for this purpose that over 750 party delegates from every Division of Cameroon's 10 provinces were convening at the CPDM Palais de Congres headquarters in Yaounde on the weekend of February 11th. But their mission to crown President Biya a monarch has been meeting fierce opposition. The U.S Ambassador to Cameroon, Her Excellency Janet E. Garvey has been on record since February 5th, 2008 when the diplomat made it clear that her country would not support any constitutional amendment that is motivated only by one person or a group of persons.

While the remarks by the Ambassador have put the CPDM bigwigs on the ropes urging the U.S to stay out of its business, Cameroonians in the diaspora must take action and be on the side of history and posterity. At the very least, these shameless CPDM hawks that are fighting tooth and nail to eradicate the semblance of democracy in Cameroon for an outright monarchy will not deem the actions of its citizens as "meddling". The action that everyone of us in the United States must take is simple:

Write to your Congressman or woman about the plan of President Biya and his cohorts to change the constitution for a life mandate. To do this, visit www.congress.org and enter your Zip Zode to find out who your representatives are. When you have ascertained who your representative is, please write to them. Be precise about what it is you are talking about. State the fact that President Paul Biya, who has been in power for the last 25 years, is working feverishly with the CPDM to safeguard a constitutional change of Section 6.2 that will guarantee a life presidency. This is against the wishes and aspirations of the majority of Cameroonians at home and abroad who have been disenfranchised by the regime.

The carnage in Kenya can be replicated in Cameroon if the world, led by the U.S ant its leaders, fails in reading the Red Flag warnings that such wanton manipulation of the people and the Constitution represents. About 40% of Cameroon's budget comes from America! You may recall that President Bush recently axed American aid to Kenya, forcing that other dictator to abdicate his unilateralism and to begin discussions on a joint government with the opposition. It is therefore imperative that Cameroonians in the United States fill the in-boxes of the representatives with mail about the impending doom facing Cameroon. Do not doubt the power of a single mail.

Also share the word with other Cameroonians and even non-Cameroonians. Urge each and everyone to write to their representative. President Biya and his "president-forever" supporters have used this ploy from time immemorial. Remember the "motions de soutien"? The antidote strategy for us in the diaspora is to write to the elected representatives. It may be the only tool in our arsenal that these dictators cannot take away. They have taken away our right to vote. They have robbed us of our ability to participate in alleviating poverty in our families. We have become mendicants in far away lands. They are killing our brothers and sisters with policies that exacerbate dependence on corruption. We can do something right now and right here without endangering our lives...

Write to your representative. Write now!
Or are you in favor of the amendment? Let us know.

Innocent Chia
Citizen Journalist
Email: innochia@gmail.com

Campus Massacres: What to do

By Innocent Chia
The world is now acquainted to the cold-blooded shooting of several students that has so far claimed six lives at the Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, Illinois. Reactions to such gruesome acts are generally defined by one's proximity to, association with or knowledge of those involved - victims or perpetrators. The campus is less than 28 miles away from home for me. It is even closer to Pastor Eric Mangek Ngum and family of the Victory Baptist Church in Dekalb, himself a former student of NIU. Again and again, society is left with the lingering question: What can and should be done to prevent these "random" patterns on campuses such as Virginia Tech in 2007 and yesterday in Northern Illinois?

Guns and mental illness are always to blame. From the dozen plus in Columbine in April 1999, to almost triple that number last year at the Virginia Tech and now six and counting at the Northern Illinois University, it seems improbable that society can ever do enough to protect its most vulnerable from a vicious few. The challenge has not been that of identifying the choice weapons of the killers, but that of preventing the undesirable elements from accessing the guns in a land where law and reality have chosen to be on a collision course.

The finger-pointing game between those who favor gun laws and those who are against will resume in public and private spaces for the next few weeks and, perhaps months and years to come. The Presidential campaigns may even include it on their stomps and debate about the Second amendment to the U.S Constitution, covering the right to gun ownership. But the pain of those who are mourning their loved ones from Columbine to Virginia and now Illinois will remain palpable forever. Forever, some will feel the guilt and even responsibility of sending their children to the school or campus where untimely death embraced them. And so they will seek to know what else any one could do to prevent it from happening then or ever again.

In the wake of their own shooting calamity, Virginia Tech re-examined a lot of existing security and administrative procedures to better safeguard life on campus. Northern Illinois developed a new security plan following the Virginia Tech horror; a rapid response plan that could not prevent the loss of lives for the six students. Such is an unfortunate acknowledgment that the shooter(s) will always be a step-ahead of the authorities. The dawning of such reality leaves each and every one of us on his or her own. The question then is what can each man do?

It is this question that led me to what a friend qualified as "patently outrageous" thinking. So, bear with me and tell me how crazy my thinking is... Bullet vests and helmets in class. Yes. It is my submission that students should be given the option to wear bullet vests and even helmets to class if they will carry such body armor around. This will not overstep the bounds of anyone, including the American Civil Liberties Union that would otherwise pounce on Universities or parents if any mandates are suggested. It is totally optional and even discretionary (except the helmet part).

I concede that soldiers die on the war front with far superior body armor. But they arguably do not have the same feeling of vulnerability that these students and teachers have when faced with the bad guy(s). Besides, the soldier knows what to expect on a battlefield. The expectation is not the same for the student or the teacher. In fact, they all expect for campus to incarnate and represent idealisms of safety and freedom; but not freedom to be another statistical bloodbath of mental carnage.

Mental breakdown is what it is. The psychiatrists and other mental health and social workers have a lot of work on their hands. We live in a society and era when stress multiplies the possibility for easy meltdown by some. The difference for some in society is facilitated by access to guns. Yes, you remember the time that you wish X person were dead because you hold them responsible for your suffering and that of your people. The only reason you probably did not act is because you do not have what it takes and fear what could go wrong if your plan failed. Therefore, because of that potential in most every one human being that is not a saint, it is advisable that we think about what to do not to be in harms way.

If we wear seat belts it is for a reason. If we wear condoms it is for a reason. We cannot punish the killers because they are too cowardly. But society will have to make them work harder before killing anyone. They will have to take time to aim, as opposed to having open targets. This may reduce the number of deaths and provide a better edge for the rapid response units.
May those who grieve at this time find solace in the higher Power of God.
What are your thoughts on making schools and campuses safer?

Innocent Chia
Citizen Journalist
Email: innochia@gmail.com

CFA – A currency designed to Keep Francophone African Countries poor

By Hinsley Njila
Every year, the CIA and World Bank publish a list of the poorest countries in the world. In the current list available on the CIA website, the majority of the former French colonies in Africa fall in the ‘bottom 50’ of the poorest countries in the world. Coincidence or factors like bad governance, failure to invest in building human capital, and the myriad of other reasons? Well, you guessed right. It is all of the above… and then some. But one of the most important reasons is that which is most common to the block of former French colonies in Africa, and that is the CFA francs.

See, in 1945 General Charles De Gaulle and his officials knew that sooner than later there’d be enough pressure for them to grant independence to their colonies. So they created the CFA which guaranteed they’d control the colonies for many decades after the so called independence. Today, the CFA is the common currency of 14 countries in West and Central Africa, 12 of which are former French colonies and are on the list of the world’s poorest countries.

The current predicament is an off shod of a colonial arrangement created by De Gaulle and his officials and ratified by African countries whereby 65% of their foreign reserves had to be stored in the French treasury. Another 20% of the reserves of these African countries were to cover financial liabilities; an arrangement which still holds some six decades later. African countries are also not allowed to know how much they have in their so-called ‘Operations Account’, for it is a highly guarded French Secret. Even though these reserves benefit the Paris Bourse (stock exchange) almost entirely, recent rules enacted by France in 1973 further restrict the two central banks (CEMAC and WAEMU), to impose a cap on credit extended to each member country equivalent to 20% of the country’s revenue in the preceding year.

Interestingly, after the euro’s introduction, African CFA member countries still agreed to maintain a currency peg with France through an agreement drafted by the French Treasury. Thus, since 1945 the French treasury has had the sole responsibility of the convertibility of the CFA francs to other currencies. The fixed parity between the euro and CFA is based on official conversion rate for the French franc and the euro set in 1999 (FF6.55957 to one euro). As the CFA100 to FF1 exchange rate has not changed since the devaluation of 1994, the CFA franc-euro exchange rate is simply CFA665.957 to one euro – permanently fixed!

This lack of flexibility has had devastating effects on the economic growth of African francophone countries. Brian Weinstein says in his book ‘Africanisation in French Africa’ how until 1960 France had not considered independence as a legitimate goal for its colonies, thus the reason France still controls the economies of its ex-colonies some 40 years later.

For every growth in France’s GDP, the euro appreciates against the Dollar, thus the CFA franc assumes too high an exchange rate. This puts the brakes on growth in the African economies who are also heavily dependent on commodities produced by Asia and South American countries who have much more flexible currencies. Put simply, a strong euro just kills CFA member economies as they experience declining export prices. Since 1994, growth in CFA member countries has remained quite modest. Overall output increased by less that 3%, compared to 8% in previous years. Rising oil prices has a devastating effect on non-oil producing CFA member countries because of the direct link to the euro. Oil prices are set in US Dollars, and the value of the euro and CFA have risen some 30+% against the dollar. For the CFA and Euro, a strong exchange rate undermines export competitiveness as local goods are much more expensive.

A high fixed rate also kills economic growth in member countries, as it’s incompatible with productivity. The level of regional integration among member countries and the two central banks is remarkably low, even further undermining economic growth. Because the economies of Central African countries are heavily dependent on oil, and those of West Africa heavily dependent on other commodities, it is hard to argue for the long-term viability of the CFA unless of course you’re De Gaulle.

For these reasons, intellectuals like President Wade of Senegal and economists like Prof Mamadou Koulibaly (speaker of the Ivorian National Assembly) whom I met recently in London, among others argue that it is time for Africa to cut the umbilical cord with the French through their continued link with the euro through France. Today, the independence of francophone African countries is a myth. These countries need a currency that reflects their economies, one that is flexible and can benefit the commodities they produce; allowing them to be competitive in an increasingly global environment.

By Hinsley Njila
Email:hinsley@realfocus.org
The UN classifies countries as “least developed” based on three criteria: (1) annual gross domestic product (GDP) below $900 per capita; (2) quality of life, based on life expectancy at birth, per capita calorie intake, primary and secondary school enrollment rates, and adult literacy; and (3) economic vulnerability, based on instability of agricultural productions and exports, inadequate diversification, and economic smallness. Half or more of the population in the 50 least developed countries listed above are estimated to live at or below the absolute poverty line of U.S. $1 per day

Indomitable Lions Triumph 1-0 over Black Stars of Ghana

By Innocent Chia
Much like the odds that the New York Giants had of securing a victory against American Football's 2007 season 16-0 dominating performance of Bill Belichick's New England Patriots, soccer pundits and reporters were most presumptively in favor of a loss by the Indomitable Lions of La Republique du Cameroon to the Black Stars of Ghana. Much like them, I underestimated the power of the predictable over the beauty of the unpredictable. The set plays of the Lions and their long balls across the meridian are pretty predictable. There is little doubt that the Black Stars were well prepared for it. But they may have been so well prepared for the opponent that they forgot to bring the unpredictability of the Stars to the field of play and instead copied the Lions style of play.

The lone goal of the encounter by Alain Nkong at the 70th minute of play was a product of Cameroon's predictable play style. It was a long ball to tournament's highest goal scorer, Eto'o Fils, who served the forward running Alain Nkong for a one-two flick of the ball past the keeper of the Black Stars into the net. The only other close call for the Indomitable Lions was a set play free-kick by Geremi Njitap, the Chelsea defensive captain who is intent on equating free-kicks to penalty Kicks. It shook the cross bar but failed to nestle itself into the net.

It is true that the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun play brutish football, especially captain Rigobert Song. Everyone probably agrees that the weakest link of the team is the defense. But it is also an open secret that the wobbly defense is highlighted by a non-existent midfield. It was the much needed adjustment made by its septuagenarian coach, Otto Pfister. He apparently acknowledged the shortcomings of his defense and literally played nine (9) men at the defense. This helped his side a whole lot and assured their qualification for the finals against the eventual winner of the other semi-final clash of the titans between the Elephants of Cote d'Ivoire and the Pharaohs of Egypt.

The Black Stars were not undeserving. Their stellar performance, prior to the loss against the Indomitable Lions of La Republique du Cameroun, was constructed through the marvels of its mid-fielders. Central to the plan was Captain Mensah's ball distributing capabilities. He did not have a chance to play against the Lions, which is no excuse because no one can vouch that it would have changed the outcome of the game. There is also no denying that the Black Stars resorted to trading long-balls and air-balls with the Lions. That was a curious thing for coach Claude Le Roy of Ghana to do, especially because he should have known this to be the forte of the Lions. It may be a factor whether or not the Ghanaian football federation keep or fire him.

One last note: If history serves the Lions well they may win this edition because all their victories have come from distant lands. But don't take my word for it because my bet is always like a curse.
Innocent Chia
Citizen Journalist
Email: innochia@gmail.com.

Battling for the Finals at the 2008 African Cup of nations

By Innocent Chia
With the exception of the 0-5 walloping of Syli Nationale (national Elephants) of Guinea by Drogba's Cote d'Ivoire Elephants, the quarter final games at the African Cup of nations have been hard-fought contests, leaving only some of Africa's finest for the semi-finals. The semi finals will set the stage for interesting record breaking possibilities among three proven heavy weight champions: Egypt with five Cup titles and seeking to make it six; Ghana tied at four titles with La Republique du Cameroun and each seeking to be even with Egypt at five; and Cote d'Ivoire will be fighting for its second. . Of all four teams also, two of them have had a perfect tournament so far, winning all four of their games and counting on maintaining the streaks.

Host country Ghana has remained invincible till this point of the tournament and its African roving coach, Claude Le Roy, and the nation would want to have the perfect tournament without losing a single of the six games. Getting there would require for Chelsea's defensive star player, Michael Essien and the rest of his Black Stars teammates to outshine and blind the Lions of La Republique du Cameroun on Thursday Febraury 7th, 2008 in Accra. But in two of their only encounters in the history of the African Cup of Nations both teams have tied each other.Therefore, each have a 50 percent chance of winning the day. However, they have come to a point where one of them must register a W on the win column against an L or loss for the other. How to secure a victory against the other is the nail-biting question that both coaches must be working on.
The more challenging task may be that of 70-year-old coach Otto Pfister, aka Mister Africa, of the Indomitable Lions of La Republique du Cameroun. The hair-splitting 3-2 victory of his team over the tactically superior Tunisian side at the quarter finals only strengthened the observers that have fingers pointing at a barren midfield and a scampering and over-indulging defensive lineup. After suffering a 2-0 deficit inflicted in the first half, the Tunisian side tied the game 2-2 by the end of 90 minutes of play. They were looking sharp and ready to take it to the weary Lions at prolongation. But Mbia saved the day for Cameroon, scoring his second goal of the day to give the Lions a 3-2 victory and maintaining their invincibility against the Tunisian side. Playing against tournament favorite will be a different ball game for the Lions, especially considering their 0-1 record of coming from the back to secure a victory.
Claude Le Roy is no stranger to Cameroon, having coached the side to victory at the 1988 African Cup of Nations and runners-up in previous edition in 1986. He, therefore, could be said to be familiar with the team. But there is not a single player in the current selection that played under Le Roy. However, the team plays much the same system as under Le Roy. This gives him and his side some kind of advantage. It is also note worthy that the Black Stars of Ghana have come back from behind in at least one game against Nigeria to win by 2-1 at the quarter finals. If nothing, this shows character and team fortitude, especially after losing its prominent offensive lineman and captain, John Mensah and playing ten against eleven for the star-studded Nigerian team. The match could very much be determined by who maintains a solid defense and a daring startling offense. Cameroon have the offense with Eto'o Fils, who lost his cool against Tunisia and head-butted the defender. Ghana will be counting on Essein, its defensive bulwark. It could be a rivalry for the history books.
The Pharaohs of Egypt will be facing the Elephants of Cote D'Ivoire in the second semi-finals game of the tournament. While the Elephants remain undefeated and have won all their opponents in the tournament, the Pharaohs pulled a tie against Zambia in the first round games. It was a battle to the end between Angola and Egypt, with Angola bowing out 1-2 against the much more experienced opponent that also holds the most African Cup of Nations titles. Whether this daunts Didier Drogba and his teammates is another matter to be seen. It is a fact that the mesmerizing play of the Elephants against Guinea will not be lost on the minds of the Egyptian players and coaches. Resting Drogba before the end of the game was a strategic decision and a forethought to what is to come. But besides Drogba, the Elephants have so far demonstrated a great sense of purpose and played with completeness in almost every department. And they will need it against Egypt.

The Pharaohs always seem to have their eyes set on the trophy. There is no exception to that goal now. They will be seeking to distance themselves in the run for title cup-holders even as Ghana and La Republique du Cameroon attempt to catch-up. But the Pharaohs will also be playing as the last standing team from North Africa. The team will also be making a statement about domestic versus international professional players. They are the team left in the tournament with the least number of European bound professional players. It will be an electric encounter in which the Pharaohs will need to dig further than archaeological finds to stop any dramatic invasion of their space by the Elephants of Cote d'Ivoire.
Innocent Chia
Citizen Journalist
Email: innochia@gmail.com