Cameroon urge calm as Morocco Women’s AFCON semi-final approaches

Cameroon’s government has rejected claims that unpaid bonuses are disrupting the Indomitable Lionesses’ preparations for their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against Morocco.

The allegation emerged on social media only hours before Wednesday’s match in Rabat, where Cameroon will face the host nation and two-time defending runners-up.

Cameroon’s Minister of Sports, Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, described the reports as an “insidious and malicious campaign” that could unsettle the players before one of the tournament’s most important matches.

In a statement signed by the minister, the government categorically denied that members of the Cameroon delegation had not received their participation bonuses.

“The bonuses linked to the participation of members of the Cameroon delegation (…) have been fully paid into their accounts,” said Mouelle Kombi.

Each player is due a participation payment of 30m CFA francs, equivalent to about €45,734.70.

The minister also outlined the performance-related bonuses available to the squad during the tournament. Players are due a further 8m CFA francs, or about €12,195.92, for reaching the quarter-finals and 6m CFA francs, worth approximately €9,146.94, for qualifying for the semi-finals.

A further 8m CFA francs is to be paid in the event of reaching the final. Players who finish as runners-up or in third place are due an additional 5m CFA francs, equivalent to about €7,622.45.

The government said the total amount available to each player in the event of a historic triumph would be 52m CFA francs, or approximately €79,273.48.

Mouelle Kombi described the financial package as an “unprecedented” effort by the government in support of the women’s national team.

He called on the delegation to ignore reports that could affect the squad’s morale and remain focused on the semi-final against Morocco.

“The Minister of Sports and Physical Education strongly condemns those spreading false information aimed at dealing a blow to the morale of the Indomitable Lionesses. He asks members of the Cameroon delegation to remain calm,” he concluded.

Cameroon’s semi-final against Morocco will take place in Rabat on Wednesday, with the host nation attempting to continue its progress on home soil. The controversy over the alleged unpaid bonuses had surfaced shortly before the match, prompting the minister’s public intervention.

The statement was intended to reassure the players and the wider delegation that the participation payments had been transferred, while also setting out the rewards linked to their progress through the competition.