AFCON 2015: Cameroon Hit by Bonus Row Ahead of Tournament
Cameroon’s preparations for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations have been disrupted by a familiar controversy — unpaid bonuses — which delayed the team’s scheduled travel to Libreville for the continuation of their pre-tournament training camp.
The Indomitable Lions were set to fly to the Gabonese capital as part of their build-up to the competition, hosted by Equatorial Guinea from 17 January to 8 February. However, the squad was held back due to a dispute over the payment of qualification bonuses, rekindling tensions that have historically plagued Cameroonian football.
According to local outlet Camfoot, the delay stemmed from administrative confusion involving government ministries and football officials. Earlier in the day, Cameroon’s Minister of Sports reportedly contacted the Minister of Finance to request the urgent release of funds to settle outstanding player bonuses. The funds were reportedly made available — but complications arose over who would oversee their distribution.
At the centre of the dispute were Alamine Ousmane Mey, the Finance Minister, and Joseph Owona, head of the FECAFOOT (Cameroonian Football Federation) normalization committee. Mey appointed a financial representative to oversee the payment process, while Owona rejected the move, insisting that only the official coordinator of the national team should handle such responsibilities.
The standoff briefly threatened to derail the team’s preparations, though reports later confirmed that the issue had been resolved. The national team was expected to depart for Libreville the following morning.
Cameroon have a history of bonus-related rows disrupting their major tournament campaigns. Similar issues affected the team during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, when players temporarily refused to board a flight due to unpaid incentives.
The four-time African champions will compete in Group D at this year’s tournament, facing off against Ivory Coast, Mali, and Guinea — a challenging group that will require the full focus of coach Volker Finke’s men if they hope to progress.
With the bonus crisis seemingly settled, attention now turns to matters on the pitch as Cameroon aim to restore their former glory on the continental stage.
