2026 WAFCON: Cameroon, Ghana Renew Storied Rivalry In High-Stakes Group D Clash

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Ghana and Cameroon will renew one of West African women’s soccer’s most contested rivalries Sunday August 2 when the two opening-round winners clash in their second Group D match of the ongoing Women Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON 2026 at Moulay Rachid Stadium.

Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. local time (5 p.m. GMT) in Casablanca, marking the 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations meeting between the powerhouse programs. Ghana holds the historical edge with five victories to Cameroon’s three, alongside one draw.

All nine previous WAFCON encounters between the two nations have produced goals, with six of the eight decided matches settled by a single goal.

Their long-standing history includes classic tournament moments, starting with Ghana’s 3-1 group-stage victory in 1998. Ghana dominated the early years, winning the first three meetings, including a 3-2 extra-time thriller in the 2002 semifinals courtesy of a 120th-minute golden goal by Adjoa Bayor. Cameroon earned its first victory against Ghana in the 2004 semifinals, securing a 1-0 win after extra time with a 95th-minute silver goal from Françoise Bella.

The sides last met at the tournament in 2018 during the group stage, playing to a 1-1 draw that eliminated host Ghana while propelling Cameroon into the knockout rounds. While both teams routinely advanced when paired together in early tournaments, Cameroon has held the upper hand recently, progressing ahead of Ghana in their last three shared group-stage appearances in 2010, 2014, and 2018.

Ghana enters Sunday’s fixture seeking to build momentum after opening its campaign with a dominant 2-0 victory over tournament debutant Cabo Verde. The win marked the eighth time Ghana has started a WAFCON campaign with a victory, though historical trends suggest a difficult second fixture. Ghana has failed to win its second group-stage match in its last five tournament appearances, recording three draws and two defeats since last winning its second game in 2008.

In their opening match against Cabo Verde, the Black Queens generated 26 total shots, six on target, led by Doris Boaduwaa. Boaduwaa attempted nine shots, landing four on target and scoring her first career WAFCON goal, while teammate Josephine Kyerewaa Bonsu anchored the side by winning 11 of 13 duels. The shutout was also Ghana’s first clean sheet in six group-stage matches.

Cameroon arrives with considerable momentum of its own following a 2-1 victory over Mali in its tournament opener. The Indomitable Lionesses have established a strong record following opening-match wins, having won their second fixture on the last three occasions they started the tournament with a victory. Cameroon is currently riding a 10-match unbeaten streak in the WAFCON group stage, with its last group-stage defeat coming at the hands of Ghana in 2014.

Cameroon’s opening victory was highlighted by an efficient performance from Marie Ngah Manga, who scored twice on three shots. Ngah became the first Cameroonian player to score multiple goals in a single WAFCON match since Thérèse Abena accomplished the feat in 2018. As a team, Cameroon maintained strong control against Mali, completing 288 passes at a 74 percent accuracy rate.

A victory for either nation on Sunday would secure six points, virtually guaranteeing a spot in the knockout stage and putting the winner in pole position to top Group D.

CAF Champions League, Confederation Cup Preliminary Draws Set For Aug. 6 In Cairo

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

The path to African club football glory will begin Aug. 6 with the preliminary round draws for the 2026-27 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.

The draws are scheduled to take place at CAF headquarters in Cairo, with the Confederation Cup draw at 2 p.m. local time (11 a.m. GMT), followed by the Champions League draw at 3 p.m. local time (noon GMT). Both events will be broadcast live on CAF TV.

Clubs from across the continent will learn their first opponents as they vie for a place in the group stages of Africa’s premier club competitions. The winners of the Champions League will receive $6 million in prize money, while the Confederation Cup champions will earn $4 million.

Teams eliminated during the preliminary rounds will each receive a solidarity payment of $100,000, part of CAF’s ongoing commitment to supporting participating clubs and boosting engagement in its interclub tournaments.

The preliminary rounds have produced memorable contests and compelling storylines in recent seasons, often pitting established continental powers against ambitious emerging clubs eager to make their mark.

Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa enter the Champions League as defending champions, while USM Alger of Algeria hold the Confederation Cup title after lifting the trophy last season.

MINESEC Shuts Down 105 Illegal Schools Ahead Of 2026-2027 Academic Year

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Ahead of the 2026/2027 academic year, the Ministry of Secondary Education (MINESEC) has ordered the immediate closure of 105 illegal lay private secondary schools across Cameroon.

**Prof. Nalova Lyonga, Minister of Secondary Education** *(Photo: Mainimo Etienne)*

The closures were carried out under Article 24 of Law No. 2024/022 of July 22, 2004, and Articles 31 and 32 of Decree No. 2008/3043/PM of December 2008.

Geographically, the crackdown hit the Littoral Region hardest with 52 closures, followed by the Centre Region with 13 schools. Both the Southwest and West Regions saw 11 schools shut down each, while five schools were affected in the Northwest Region, four in the South Region, and two in the Adamawa Region.

While Minister Nalova Lyonga has pledged to clean up the secondary education system, observers continue to question why why illegal schools routinely resurface year after year despite recurring bans.

Critics however have point to lax follow-up mechanisms, enforcement gaps, and systemic corruption, accusing field officers responsible for implementing ministerial directives of turning a blind eye.

Stakeholders are urging authorities to ensure a safe educational environment and to help students become responsible citizens.

Meet Michel Ngue Awane: Cameroonian Intellectual & Multi-Talented Strategist

By Brian Mboh

Michel Ngue-Awane is a multi-talented Cameroonian writer, entrepreneur, political thinker, musician, and consultant—known for his unwavering commitment to a conscious, free, and prosperous Africa.

Born into a royal family, he grew up in a multicultural setting in Cameroon. He completed his primary education in Santchou, then pursued further studies in Dschang, Douala, and Burkina Faso, before continuing his education in London in the United Kingdom.

After studying philosophy, he trained in computer science and business administration (MBA). He also pursued a professional doctorate in social work and psychodynamics. This interdisciplinary background fuels the depth and clarity of his reflections on African and global society.

As an author, columnist, and consultant called upon by the British, Cameroonian, and Burkinabé media, Awane analyzes African current affairs with rigor, lucidity, and audacity. His political and social forecasts are frequently cited for their relevance. He is widely recognized as a major voice of the African diaspora—critical, unifying, and deeply pan-African.

International beginnings (1999)

His international career began in 1999, when he became a Youth Advisor for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). There, he organized the Global Youth Campaign for Sustainable Consumption and traveled across more than 25 African countries.

In this same capacity, he also contributed to the children’s book Pachamama Missao Terra 2, published by Peace Child International in partnership with UNEP.

Moving to the United Kingdom and civic engagement (2000–2010)

In the early 2000s, Michel Ngue-Awane moved to the United Kingdom. He quickly became involved in social and community issues.

From 2006 to 2008, he served on the Mayor of London’s Advisory Committee on Refugees and Migrants, contributing to the development of integration policies. At the same time, he became a member of a sub-group of the UK Home Office’s Refugee Forum, where he advised on employment and housing strategies.

In 2009, he self-published a major work titled Practice Guide to Social Housing, which became a reference manual in training programs in the UK. Praised by housing professionals, the book has helped hundreds of people secure employment in local government and housing associations.

The following year, in 2010, Michel Ngue-Awane was a finalist in the very first Local Government Challenge—an honor that crowns his civic commitment. He also received several awards, including the Millennium Award and the UNLTD Award, which granted him a lifetime scholarship for his community initiatives.

Recognition and entrepreneurship (2014–2015)

In 2014, he was recognized as one of the top entrepreneurs in the Cameroonian community in the UK. In 2015, he was named Best Cameroonian Author of the Year.

Michel Ngue-Awane also founded his own hot sauce brand, PEP Chilli Sauce, distributed in the United Kingdom and France.

His works and vision

Michel Ngue-Awane’s writings explore themes related to African identity, decolonization, and development. Among his works are: Beyond the Colonial Subconscious, Africa Advances (2015) and Poor Land or Poor Minds: Africa Responds (2020).

These books develop his theory of the colonial subconscious, arguing that systems inherited from colonial powers can psychologically imprison African minds.

For him, true freedom begins with the liberation of the spirit. He argues that change in Africa will come neither from external aid nor from simple political alternations, but from an inner awakening within each individual.

He calls for a profound reform of the African educational system, which he considers unsuitable and disconnected from local realities. He believes education should reveal individual potential and unleash creativity. He also defends a model of development centered on the capacity of citizens to meet their basic needs without depending on aid.

Michel Ngue-Awane has been recognized as one of the top entrepreneurs in the Cameroonian community in the UK, and in 2015, he was named Best Cameroonian Author of the Year.

SDF Urges Full Disclosure of State Revenue, Cautions Against Manipulation of Electoral Timetable

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

The Social Democratic Movement (SDF) has called has made resounding statement concerning the country. In a press conference that took place on Thursday July 23 in Yaounde, the SDF through the National Chairman of the SDF, Hon. Joshua Osih among other things called on government to disclosed true state revenue, and warn against tempering with Legislative and Municipal Elections Dates among other things.

***SDF National Chairman, Hon. Joshua Osih Speaking during the press conference*** *(Photo: Mainimo Etienne)*

Revisiting the just-ended June Ordinary Session of Parliament, Hon. Osih said that since the SDF questioned the Minister of Finance on the issue of gold, what began as simple questions has become a matter of state. Noting that the scandal is now public and that inquiries have been opened, he called this a victory for his party. “The SDF will follow this enquiry to the very end,” he said.

While indicating that every gram of goal that evaporates between declaration and foreign registries is stolen from a school, a hospital, a road and more, he said the revenue declared by the government from oil and mining, including gold, is not accurate. “The SDF demands the true figures of State Revenue,” he said, adding, “Stop indebting the people and give us the true figures.”

He also said that during the last session, the SDF tabled five private member bills on questions critical for the nation, but the bills were refused a place on the agenda. “They were simply buried,” he said, citing Legislation on femicide, infanticide and the implementation of Section 66 of the Constitution among others.

After the government forced through a constitutional revision in April 2026, a revision the SDF opposed not merely by voting against an appointed vice president, Hon. Osih said the party drafted a democratic alternative and tabled it for amendment, but that historic text was also pushed aside.

Given the current climate, he urged all Cameroonians of voting age to register on the electoral rolls before the register closes on Aug. 31. “A voter’s card costs nothing; its absence costs everything,” he said.

Turning to the Legislative and Municipal Elections scheduled for early 2027, Osih declared without ambiguity: “Do not touch the date of the Election again.” He stated that any attempt at a further postponement under any pretext whatsoever will be treated by the SDF as an unconstitutional confiscation of the people’s mandate.

“And because this danger concerns every democrat, I solemnly call, from this platform, on all opposition political parties, to unite on this single, minimal and non-negotiable demand: the election must hold as currently scheduled with guarantees of transparency,” he said.

Hon. Osih noted that the National Assembly and the municipal councils are already operating on extended mandates imposed on the people, and he said every additional postponement is a confiscation of the people’s sovereignty.

In the present context, with the absent head of state, a vacant vice presidency and an unresolved succession, he said it would be worse still: the deliberate transformation of a latent crisis into an institutional void.

On the decade-long Anglophone conflict, Osih cried out that “a child born in Kumbo the year it all began turns 10 this year, with no school to receive him or her.” Acknowledging that the toll is a national shame, he described the war as useless because after 10 years, no one has won, no one can win and everyone has lost. “The greatest scandal of this 10th year is not only the suffering – it is the habituation to the crisis. The SDF refuses that habituation,” he said.

He pointed to the same plan the SDF presented to Cameroonians during the 2025 presidential election: 100 days to end the violence in the Northwest and Southwest. He said its architecture is public and its logic is simple.

“The SDF calls on all the living forces of the Nation and on all our compatriots to mobilise, in unity and determination, to carry the forces of change to victory,” he said.

He called on the entire national community to commit fully to the great democratic remontada that awaits everyone on Feb. 7, 2027. “And to every citizen: Power to the People begins with your council. Your council is the road to your farm, the market, the water point, the health centre, the birth certificate,” he added.

As for the president’s extended stay abroad, Osih said that although no constitutional provision sanctions the duration of a stay abroad by the president, the SDF finds it indecent and contemptuous that no official communication has informed the people of the reasons for the extension of the president’s short private stay abroad.

“The SDF draws the attention of the President of the Republic to the fact that, in the political and republican sense, it can be affirmed that he is in the service of the State and of the Cameroonian people, and that he cannot exempt himself from the rules applicable to all citizens,” he said.

East Region Crowned Champions At 6th ANAFOOT Regional Tournament

By Brian Mboh

The sixth edition of the National Football Academy (ANAFOOT) Regional Poles Talent Tournament drew its curtains at the Bertoua Municipal Stadium on Thursday, July 23, 2026, with the host East region claiming the championship title.

**East Region Claims ANAFOOT Regional Poles Talent Tourney Trophy**

Facing a talented and resilient Centre region side, Dewesse Gabriel and his teammates relied on their strong technical execution to overpower the Centre region, which failed to get on the scoreboard.

The crowd-pleasing, action-packed match opened with a goal from Ngobara Ndongmoui to put the East ahead. In their effort to level the score, the Centre region side failed to capitalize on several goal-scoring opportunities before Gabriel netted a second goal for the East.

It proved to be a difficult game for the overpowered Centre squad, as Evrad Evans sealed the 3-0 victory with a third goal. The scoreline left the Centre players frustrated as the referee blew the final whistle.

Tournament officials praised the seamless organization and the quality of talent on display, noting that it reflects seven years of dedicated work by the National Football Academy.

***Carl Enow Ngachu Director General of ANAFOOT speaking to the press***

“We are very satisfied with the end results produced by these young stars ,for the past six days. I will like to inform you that many of these young footballers,have been solicitated by some elite one,two and regional league clubs,for the upcoming season.”

“We had more talents this year,as compare to to the previous editions. It is our wish to come back in one or two years in Bertoua.With the help of our follow-up department,we have been following most of these players since the ages of 8, even within their various clubs,” Enow Ngachu stated.

**Cabral Dipita, Best Goalkeeper of the tournament**

Award Winners

Fair Play: North Pole
Best Young Player: Andjana Barack (Centre)
Best Player: Moustapha Moussa (North)
Top Goal Scorer: Ngobara Ndongmoui (East)
Best Goalkeeper: Cabral Dipita (East)
Best Coach: Quentin Thierry Ndouyong (East)

CPDM Calls For Close-Proximity Work, Continuous, Sustained Contact With Population

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

The ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) party has urged members of the Central Committee’s Permanent Regional Delegations across all 10 regions to focus on direct, continuous population engagement ahead of the country’s upcoming Legislative and Municipal Elections.

**Jean Nkuete, Secretary General of the CPDM Central Committee speaking during the meeting** (Photo: Mainimo Etienne)

Jean Nkuete, Secretary General of the CPDM Central Committee, delivered the charge Wednesday July 22 during a strategic seminar focused on intensifying electoral preparations. The seminar took place under the theme: “The imperative landslide victory of the CPDM in the Legislative and Municipal Elections: reasons, prerequisites, actions.”

Opening the high-level seminar, Nkuete emphasized the importance of ground-level campaign work. “Close-proximity work and continuous, sustained contact with the population throughout this period of intensified election preparation will help to reinforce trust, build confidence, and deconstruct disinformation,” Nkuete said.

Nkuete noted that political realism requires adapting traditional approaches to help voters navigate complex national issues. He said this strategy will “allow us to properly grasp the depth of social transformations and developments, both nationally and locally,” adding that “we will need to devise solutions equal to the stakes and find more effective arguments to convince voters.”

“This means, dear comrades, intensifying preparations for the upcoming electoral deadlines requires us not only to work hard, but above all, to work seriously, rigorously, methodically, and effectively during the five or six months separating us from the vote—especially by keeping reason above emotion,” he stressed.

Nkuete further stated that key tasks regarding mobilization, supervision, information sharing, and raising awareness on sensitive topics must be settled in the coming months before the formal convening of the electorate and the release of traditional directives from the party’s National President.

Beyond the victory of its candidate, Nkuete said the party demonstrated its ability to face challenges and establish itself as an essential institution for the nation’s development in unity and concord.

“Triumph without peril is to triumph without glory,” Nkuete said, encouraging participants to complete preparations with the goal of securing majorities.

**A cross section of Delegate during the meeting** (Photo: Mainimo Etienne)

Despite challenging conditions, Nkuete urged members not to succumb to defeatism. He stressed that the party must proudly retain its leadership roles in local councils, regional assemblies, the National Assembly, and the Senate, preparing to defend them with determination, panache, and boldness.

He warned that showing anxiety in front of political challengers poses a key risk, stating that the party’s only fear should be fear itself as it works to maintain stability and leadership. He called on members to maintain a calm and reassuring posture toward grassroots supporters.

“However, the recommended serenity has nothing to do with blindness, vanity, condescension, selfishness, naivety, or recklessness. On the contrary, it implies lucidity, vigilance, foresight, and sagacity in our approach,” Nkuete said.

He indicated that the party must demonstrate realism and pragmatism when addressing local challenges, framing the CPDM as the primary instrument of peace supporting the actions of the head of state.

Nkuete also noted that 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Central Committee’s permanent regional delegations across the country’s 10 regions. He offered a positive assessment of their decade-long track record, noting that the delegations have played a crucial role in strengthening party organization, discipline, and effectiveness.

After the meeting, public attention remained directed toward the prolonged absence of National President of the CPDM from the country for which the party officials remind mute.

In response to growing public discussion surrounding the issue before the meeting, CPDM officials have been defending the President’s absence, pointing out that the constitution does not set a limit on how many days a president can remain abroad. Party scribes maintained that Biya continues to govern and issue directives remotely.

Lionel Messi Named AIPS Outstanding Player Of 2026 World Cup

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Lionel Messi has been named the outstanding player of the 2026 FIFA World Cup by the International Sports Press Association (AIPS), following a poll of 472 journalists from 121 countries.

**Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham are the top three AIPS Outstanding Players of the FIFA World Cup 2026** (Graphics by Nordcap Studio)

According to AIPS, the Argentine captain earned 1,179 points to finish ahead of France’s Kylian Mbappé (717 points) and England’s Jude Bellingham (470 points).

Spain won the World Cup title on Sunday, July 19, defeating Argentina 1-0 in the final. The match marked a symbolic transition, as the 39-year-old Messi shared the pitch with 18-year-old Spanish star Lamine Yamal.

Messi, playing in his record sixth World Cup tournament, led Argentina to the final with eight goals and four assists across eight matches, earning the tournament’s Silver Ball award. Argentina previously won the World Cup in 2022.

“The pain is immense, it will take time for this wound to heal,” Messi wrote on Instagram on Monday. “But I also choose to hold on to all the good things, all matches we turned around by giving everything and moments that will remain in our memories forever.”

Despite the final loss, Messi set or extended several World Cup records during the tournament:

34 career World Cup matches played.
23 career World Cup match wins.
17 knockout stage appearances.
12 career World Cup assists, an all-time record.
21 career World Cup goals, trailing only Mbappé in all-time scoring.

Mbappé, 27, led France to a fourth-place finish while breaking the all-time World Cup scoring record. He scored 10 goals during the 2026 tournament — including two in a 6-4 third-place playoff loss to England — bringing his career total to 22 goals across three World Cups. Mbappé claimed his second consecutive Golden Boot award as the tournament’s top scorer.

Bellingham, 23, powered England to third place with seven goals, setting a record for the most goals by a midfielder in a single World Cup tournament. His performance included consecutive two-goal games against Mexico in the round of 16 and Norway in the quarterfinals.

East, Centre Poles Secure Tickets For ANAFOOT Regional Poles Talent Tourney

By Brian Mboh

The finalists of the 6th edition of the National Football Academy, ANAFOOT, Regional Poles Talent Tournament, is officially known with the East and Centre Poles to battle for the position of champions.

The East and Centre poles secured tickets to the finals, after the traditional penalty kicks session, on Wednesday, July 22,2026, at the Bertoua Municipal Stadium.

The Centre and North sides played a 1-1 draw game, with the Centre trashing it’s opponent by 4-3 on penalty kicks. This was after a short-lived domination by the North boys.

2025 edition winners Extreme North, failed to impressed at the semis, against the hosting side, East.

Both sides played an all tight,0-0 score, then went for the traditional penalty kick sessions, where the East, shattered the Extreme North boys dream of reaching the finals on a 4-3 score.

Reputed for their solid and matured mindset, both East and Centre shall confront each other, in a highly watched finals this July 23,2026, where the successor of the Extreme North will be known and celebrated.

WirfonCloud Launches IT Fundamentals Courses For AI, Cloud Computing

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

WirfonCloud, a cloud computing academy has announced the launch of its latest IT fundamentals courses designed to prepare students for careers in artificial intelligence and cloud computing. The program, targeted at the Cameroon market, begins on Aug. 3, 2026.

The academy is offering three core courses: Linux Fundamentals, Networking Fundamentals, and Python Essentials. Each course spans five weeks and will be conducted online. WirfonCloud has stated that the curriculum is aimed at demystifying cloud computing and making it accessible to all.

According to the communique issued, classes will be taught by an instructor with an Amazon Web Services (AWS) background and more than 15 years of experience in the IT industry. Students enrolled in the program will receive access to the online course materials, live classes, and a free companion PDF book titled “Fundamentals of Linux for Cloud Learners,” authored by the instructor.

In addition to the coursework, WirfonCloud is offering a bonus that includes mentoring and preparation for the Linux Essentials Certification by the Linux Professional Institute (LPI), though the voucher for the exam itself is not included. Graduates will also join the WirfonCloud Community.

To encourage enrollment, the academy is providing an exclusive 33 percent discount, bringing the tuition to FCFA 100,000 with flexible payment options available. Limited seats are currently available.

Prospective students can register by scanning the barcode on the official promotional materials or by sending a message via WhatsApp to +250791921156. Additional information is available on the company’s websites, www.wirfoncloud.com and academy.wirfoncloud.com.

The company also highlighted success stories from its previous cohorts. A testimony from a student in Kenya is available by scanning the provided QR code or by visiting the WirfonCloud YouTube channel.

“We demystify cloud computing and make it accessible to all,” the academy said in its announcement.

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