History Awaits In Landmark 2026 WAFCON Final As Cameroon Faces Debutant Malawi

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

History is set to be written on Sunday August 16 at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON final as traditional power Cameroon meets tournament debutant Malawi in a decider filled with unprecedented milestones.

Marking the first final since 2022 in which neither contender has previously lifted the WAFCON trophy, this clash will produce only the fourth different champion in the tournament’s history, joining Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and South Africa.

For Cameroon, reaching its fourth final offers an opportunity to join Nigeria and South Africa as the only nations to achieve a sweeping continental double by capturing both the men’s and women’s AFCON crowns.

However, history in the final hurdle has been unforgiving to Central African sides, who have lost five of their seven deciders. Cameroon dropped all three of its previous final appearances in 2004, 2014, and 2016. A loss would equal South Africa’s record of four WAFCON final defeats.

Conversely, Malawi enters as only the second Southern African nation to reach the final after South Africa, aiming to become the region’s second champion. The Scorchers are the first Southern African side to reach the final in their tournament debut.

They have matched a historic standard by winning four games in open play, a feat previously achieved among debutants only by Nigeria when the Super Falcons won five matches in the inaugural 1998 edition.

First-Time Champions Guaranteed As Cameroon, Malawi Meet In WAFCON Final

The contrast in playing styles presents a compelling tactical narrative. Malawi boasts the tournament’s most potent attack with 12 goals scored, whereas Cameroon has leaned heavily on defensive solidity, conceding just twice while registering three clean sheets across the tournament.

Cameroon punched its ticket to the final by eliminating host Morocco in the semi-finals, navigating a North African venue for the first time after playing past finals in Southern Africa or at home. Notably, this is Cameroon’s first final without facing their long-time nemeses, Nigeria. Defensively, Cameroon has allowed just two goals en route to the final, its best run prior to a decider since holding opponents goalless in 2016.

Their semi-final advancement came via a penalty shoot-out victory against Morocco after managing a low 36 percent possession. Goalkeeper Michaely Bihina proved pivotal, becoming the first goalkeeper to save three penalties in a WAFCON shoot-out. Bihina has made 12 saves across two knockout matches, while midfielder Monique Ngock provided the physical engine by winning 20 duels against Morocco.

On his path, Malawi secured its place in the final with a dramatic 3-1 semi-final victory over Algeria in a match where both teams received red cards. Rose Kadzere was sent off in second-half stoppage time, joining Rose Alufandika as the second Malawian player sent off in the tournament. Remarkably, Malawi has won both matches in which it suffered a red card.

The Scorchers’ attack has been driven by the formidable Chawinga sisters, Tabitha and Temwa, who have accounted for nine of Malawi’s 12 goals. Tabitha scored twice against Algeria to reach four goals, while Temwa also found the net to bring her total to five, drawing level with Zambia’s Barbra Banda as the tournament’s co-leading scorer.

Consistency and reliance on a core squad have defined Malawi’s run, using just 17 squad members with five core players—including goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo—playing every single minute of the campaign.

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Historically, WAFCON finals lean heavily toward low-scoring, tight affairs. Of the 13 previous finals, nine have been won via clean sheets, and only five finals have been decided by a single goal. Both teams have scored in only four previous finals, and just one final in tournament history has ever ended scoreless or been decided by a penalty shoot-out.

As the two teams prepare to write their own chapter in WAFCON history, one thing is certain: when the final whistle blows, a new name will be etched onto the trophy for the first time since 2022.

First-Time Champions Guaranteed As Cameroon, Malawi Meet In WAFCON Final

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

A historic chapter in African women’s football will be written Sunday when Cameroon and Malawi collide in the final of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON at Moulay El Hassan Stadium.

With neither nation having ever lifted the trophy, the tournament conclusion promises a coronation for a first-time champion following a dramatically expanded 16-team competition.

For Malawi, the journey to Rabat has been nothing short of a fairy tale. Entering their maiden WAFCON appearance as the lowest-ranked team in the tournament at 153rd in the world, the Scorchers emerged as the surprise narrative of the competition.

They opened Group C with a staggering 3-2 upset of traditional powerhouse Nigeria before securing victories against Egypt and Zambia to sweep the group. Malawi then eliminated Ghana 2-1 in the quarterfinals and dismantled Algeria 3-1 in the semifinals. Driven by an explosive attack, the debutants have scored 13 goals while allowing six across their five matches.

Cameroon, meanwhile, took a far more grind-it-out path to the final. After gaining entry into the tournament through its expansion from 12 teams, the Indomitable Lionesses topped Group D with wins over Mali and Ghana alongside a draw against Cabo Verde.

In the knockout stages, Cameroon ground out a 1-0 victory over defending champions Nigeria before defeating host nation Morocco 3-1 on penalties following a scoreless draw through 120 minutes. Cameroon has relied heavily on defensive solidity, allowing just two goals during regulation play in the entire tournament while scoring five.

This marks Cameroon’s fourth WAFCON final appearance. The Lionesses are seeking to erase decades of heartbreak, most notably a agonizing loss on home soil to Nigeria in the 2016 final.

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Sunday’s final presents a classic dynamic between Malawi’s high-octane offense and Cameroon’s ironclad defense.

Malawi’s attack flows through the prolific Chawinga sisters, Tabitha and Temwa, who both found the back of the net in the semifinal win over Algeria. Temwa Chawinga currently leads the tournament’s Golden Boot race with five goals and two assists.

To claim the title, however, the Chawinga sisters must break down Cameroon’s standout goalkeeper, Michaely Bihina. The 22-year-old shot-stopper, who recently joined Portuguese club Benfica, produced a nine-save performance against Nigeria before delivering a masterclass against Morocco, saving a penalty in extra time and stopping three more attempts in the decisive shootout.

When the whistle blows on Sunday, the final will ultimately answer whether Malawi’s relentless attack or Cameroon’s resolute defense holds the key to continental glory.

Cameroon Silences Host Morocco In Shootout To Reach WAFCON 2026 Final Against Malawi

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Cameroon’s national women’s football team, the Indomitable Lionesses have sailed through to the finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nation, WAFCON 2026 after overcoming host nation Morocco in a dramatic penalty shootout following a goalless 120 minutes.

**Cameroon Women National Team during the semi finals in Morocco** (Photo: FECFAOOT)

On August 12, the Indomitable Lionesses secured a 3-1 victory on spot-kicks at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium, ending a long-standing jinx in high-stakes tiebreakers. Before Wednesday’s triumph, Cameroon had failed to win any of its previous three WAFCON penalty shootouts, including a painful semi-final exit against Nigeria in 2018.

The outcome capped a grueling evening for the host country, which squandered a prime opportunity to seal the contest late in extra time when forward Fatima Tagnaout missed a penalty.

**Cameroon’s goalkeeper, Michaely Bihina after stopping a penalty** *(Photo: FECFAOOT)*

When the match moved to spot-kicks, Cameroon demonstrated superior composure. Marie Ngah, Rose Bella, and Myriam Nyadjou all converted their attempts. Morocco’s offensive struggles persisted into the shootout, with Kenza Chapelle, Meryem Atiq, and Sakina Ouzraoui failing to score, leaving Hanane Aït El Haj as the sole Moroccan player to convert.

**Cameroon and Morocco battling for a place in the 2026 WAFCON finals** *(Photo: FECFAOOT)*

The victory halts Morocco’s ambition of reaching a third consecutive continental final and claiming a maiden championship on home turf. For Cameroon, the win extends a remarkable knockout run. The squad reached the semi-finals after eliminating 10-time champion Nigeria 1-0 in the quarter-finals, meaning the team has now ousted two of the tournament’s biggest heavyweights in back-to-back matches.

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The contest itself began as a tactical stalemate, with both teams exhibiting extreme caution. Under coach Jorge Vilda, Morocco controlled early possession and utilized the flanks to stretch Cameroon’s defense. However, the Lionesses maintained a disciplined low block that neutralized the hosts’ attack.

Seeking a breakthrough in the second half, Mr. Vilda reshuffled his lineup, withdrawing key players Ibtissam Jraidi and Nouhaila Badri to introduce fresh attacking options. Despite the tactical adjustments and sustained pressure from the home crowd, Cameroon’s backline held firm through the end of regulation time.

**Cameroon’s team celebrate after sailing through to the finals of the 2026 WAFCON** (Photo: FECFAOOT)

Cameroon will now face Malawi in Sunday’s final, putting the team within one win of its first continental title in four final appearances. Malawi secured its spot in the championship match earlier on Wednesday by defeating Algeria 3-1, propelled by a two-goal performance from forward Tabitha Chawinga.

Cameroon Red Cross Receives 200 Bags Of Rice From KOYA S.A In Push Against Food Insecurity

Benevolence Ankinibom Ngam (Uba Journalism journalism student on internship at The Post)

The Cameroon Red Cross has received more than 200 bags of rice, each 50kgs from KOYA S.A, an emerging regional agri-food trading company, in a donation that officials said marks the start of a long-term partnership to address food insecurity.

*Cécile Akame Mfoumou, National President of the Cameroon Red Cross and* Cantrell Karla Joana, representative of KOYA S.A’s Director General in an audience (

The handover took place Aug. 12 in Yaounde. Cantrell Karla Joana, representative of KOYA S.A’s Director General, presented the gift to Cécile Akame Mfoumou, National President of the Cameroon Red Cross.

Speaking at the ceremony, Karla Joana said the initiative extends beyond a single contribution. “It conveys our conviction that a company grows with society and must, in turn, contribute to the well-being of its populations,” she said.

She also noted the donation carries special significance for KOYA S.A’s leadership, citing a 16-year relationship with the Swiss Red Cross. “This initiative also reflects a particular dimension for our General Directorate because for 16 years now, our General Directorate has maintained a relationship of trust and collaboration with the Swiss Red Cross, in particular through solidarity actions and support for vulnerable populations,” she said.

**Cécile Akame Mfoumou, National President of the Cameroon Red Cross speaking during the ceremony**

Praising the work of the Cameroon Red Cross, Karla Joana added, “Through this donation of 200 bags of rice, KOYA S.A wish to bring to our level a concrete contribution to the actions carried out by your institution in favour of vulnerable populations.”

She described the gift as an initial step, expressing hope for a lasting alliance. She said a multiyear schedule and program would be developed, and KOYA S.A would continue backing the Red Cross’s humanitarian efforts.

In her response, Cécile Akame Mfoumou thanked KOYA S.A for the timely assistance, which she said would aid populations in dire need. She linked the donation to an emergency appeal for food security launched months ago with government support.

**Cantrell Karla Joana, representative of KOYA S.A’s Director General speaking during the ceremony**

“Access to sufficient and adequate food remains a major challenge for many people facing vulnerable situations,” Mfoumou said. Acknowledging that the government cannot address the crisis alone, she emphasized that the Cameroon Red Cross views the private sector as a vital partner in building a stronger, more sustainable humanitarian response.

She urged other private companies to follow KOYA S.A’s example and pledged that the Red Cross would ensure the rice reaches its intended recipients. “This donation represents a contribution from the private sector to the humanitarian and social efforts undertaken by the Cameroonian Red Cross in support of vulnerable people,” she said.

**Officials pose for a family picture after the handing over ceremony** (Photo: Mainimo Etienne)

Garbage Returns to Haunt Yaoundé as Waste Piles Swell After Months of Relief

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

For a few brief months, residents in Yaoundé felt they could finally breathe easy. The mountains of rotting refuse that had long defined the city’s streets had disappeared, replaced by a fragile—yet welcome—sense of cleanliness.

**Garbage heaps along the Tam-Tam and Rond Point Express Road blocking traffic** (Photo: Mainimo Etienne)

But that temporary relief has quickly faded. The garbage is back, and this time, it is reclaiming the city with renewed force. Today, particularly along the roads in the Yaoundé VI subdivision, the stench of decay is hard to miss. Heaps of household waste—plastic bottles, food scraps, and torn packaging—spill onto pavements and spill further onto the road. In some places, the problem has narrowed traffic to a single, hazardous lane.

For both pedestrians and motorists, daily commutes have become an ordeal—an unrelenting struggle between the need to move and the overwhelming instinct to step back from the foul odour that hangs in the air like a thick fog. The situation is especially alarming along the Tam-Tam Road, from Rond Point Express. What was once a relatively orderly stretch has deteriorated into an open-air dump. Residents appear to have abandoned any pretense of civic pride, using the roadside as an all-purpose disposal point for everyday refuse.

But this is not limited to one area. Across the capital, new dumping hotspots are emerging at an alarming pace—on street corners, in drainage ditches, and even beside signage erected by the Yaoundé Urban Council that prohibits dumping under threat of heavy fines. The warnings, printed prominently, have become little more than symbolic reminders as residents ignore them with impunity.

To many residents, the renewed wave of dirt is more than an eyesore. It represents a failure of governance and a breakdown in shared responsibility. The dominant mood is frustration—and growing calls for urgent action.

“I don’t know what to say anymore about waste management in this city,” Peter, a resident, told The Post, shaking his head in exhaustion. “The problem is never really solved. You think it’s gone, then the next week it returns worse. The government needs stronger policies and real enforcement, because what we have now is clearly not working.”

A young woman who asked not to be named said, “People don’t seem to understand how serious this is. They throw rubbish anywhere, anytime. We need to be more responsible—we need to keep our environment clean at all times. This is not just about beauty. It’s about our health. Diseases spread in this filth.”

Public health experts warn that the danger is real. Accumulated waste attracts rodents, flies, and mosquitoes—creating conditions that can fuel outbreaks of cholera, typhoid, and malaria, illnesses that often hit the urban poor hardest. Yet for many residents, the immediate challenge of navigating roads littered with rubbish is already severe enough to eclipse these broader concerns.

Mere Mary, a trader operating in affected neighbourhoods, described what she sees as a near-total institutional absence. “When I walk through Yaoundé VI and other areas, it makes me feel we are still far from finding a solution,” she said. “We don’t see council workers cleaning like they used to. The garbage trucks that came regularly have stopped showing up. The system is not clear—nothing seems to be working, and nobody is taking responsibility. Who is supposed to do what?”

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Her question goes to the core of the crisis. Many observers argue that the problem is twofold: a failure of citizenship and a failure of the state. Residents, they say, must take back personal responsibility—stopping the casual habit of dumping waste into gutters and streets. At the same time, government bodies must carry out their duties, ensuring regular collection services, consistent enforcement, and a clear long-term strategy.

There are signs that authorities have not entirely ignored the issue. Official sources indicate that measures have been introduced to tackle the growing crisis, with additional steps reportedly underway. However, despite announcements and the distribution of waste management equipment to local councils, residents say the situation remains largely unchanged on the ground.

The stakes are high. Yaoundé is not just a city—it is the seat of national power and, according to many analysts, a symbol. Its cleanliness—or lack of it—reflects directly on governance and the government’s commitment to protecting citizens’ well-being. When the capital is overwhelmed by garbage, it sends a damaging message about priorities, competence, and the social contract.

As dusk settles over the Tam-Tam Road, refuse piles cast long shadows across the roadway. Children pick through the debris; motorbike taxis weave between mounds; and an acrid smell of burning plastic drifts from a nearby corner where someone is trying to reduce the waste by fire. This is the new normal—only it is not new at all. The months of cleanliness are fading into the past.

Fixing the crisis will require far more than temporary clean-up campaigns or fines alone. It demands a sustained, multi-pronged approach: dependable weekly collections, accessible public bins, aggressive public education, and a justice system willing to penalize repeat offenders.
Above all, it requires partnership—an unspoken agreement between the governed and those who govern. A clean city is not the work of one side. It must be a shared goal, supported by every citizen and every official.

Until that partnership becomes real, many residents fear the streets of Yaoundé—and other Cameroonian cities—will remain a battleground. Not between armies, but between laziness and ambition, between dirt and civility. And for now, the garbage is winning.

Colombe Sportive To Face Stade Malien In 2026/27 CAF Champions League Preliminaries

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Colombe Sportive of Cameroon will face Stade Malien FC of Mali in the first preliminary round of the 2026/27 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, following the draw that took place in Cairo on August 6.

The Cameroon champions, who clinched the 2025/2026 Elite One title, will host the first leg before travelling to Mali for the return fixture. The victor over two legs will progress to the second preliminary round, where they are set to meet the winner of the tie between FC Canchungo of Guinea-Bissau and Teungueth FC of Senegal.

A total of 61 clubs have entered the competition. Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, Espérance Sportive de Tunis of Tunisia, and Morocco’s RS Berkane have received byes directly to the second preliminary round.

Sundowns, who defeated AS FAR 2-1 on aggregate to win their second continental title last season, will bid for consecutive crowns.

The first preliminary round first legs are scheduled for September 4-6, with return matches set for September 11-13. The second preliminary round first legs will take place October 16-18, with the return fixtures from October 23-25. The 16 winners will advance to the group stage, which begins in late November.

The overall champions will receive a record USD 6 million in prize money. Clubs eliminated in the preliminary rounds will each receive a USD 100,000 subvention from CAF to assist with travel and logistical costs.

Cameroon Ousts Nigeria, Ensuring A New African Women’s Champion

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

For the first time in this tournament’s recent memory, the reigning queens of African women’s football will not be defending their crown. Nigeria, the perennial power and holder of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, was eliminated on Sunday August 9 by a disciplined and defiant Cameroon side, 1-0, in a quarterfinal that crackled with tension from the opening whistle.

**Cameroon celebrate after scoring against Nigeria during the quarter final match** (Photo: CAF)

The defeat not only ends the Super Falcons’ bid for a record-extending title but also guarantees that an unfamiliar name will be etched onto the continental trophy when the final is played later this month. For Cameroon, the victory carries the additional prize of automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

The match was decided in the 19th minute by a moment of startling audacity from a 20-year-old who had yet to make her mark on this stage. Myriam Maéva Nyadjou, with little visible warning, took possession well outside the penalty area and unleashed a rising, dipping drive that screamed into the upper corner of the net. The Nigerian goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, one of the most celebrated shot-stoppers in the global game, could only watch as the ball curled beyond her fullest extension.

Nigeria, as is their custom, responded with furious intent. Within a minute, Rasheedat Ajibade swung a searching cross into the Cameroonian box, but Gift Monday could not connect cleanly under pressure. In the 28th minute, another promising move saw Rinsola Babajide find Jennifer Echegini in a dangerous pocket of space, yet her ensuing effort was comfortably smothered by Cameroon’s goalkeeper, Michaely Bihina, who would prove instrumental in the upset.

For all of Nigeria’s territorial dominance and possession, Cameroon retreated into a compact, organized shell that refused to yield. The Indomitable Lionesses carried their slender lead into the interval, having absorbed everything thrown at them.

The second half brought an even more urgent Nigerian assault, but it also brought out the best in Bihina. Her finest intervention arrived in the 70th minute, when she flung herself across the goal line to deflect Uchenna Kanu’s thundering header with a strong, decisive hand—a save that may stand as one of the tournament’s defining images.

Cameroon, emboldened rather than pinned back, nearly extended their advantage six minutes from full time. Achta Toko Njoya, from a narrow angle, curled a free kick that required Nnadozie to tip the ball over the bar with a reflex save of her own. Nigeria pressed relentlessly in the dying moments, and substitute Esther Okoronkwo appeared poised to force extra time when she beat her marker and unleashed a left-footed shot that sailed agonizingly past the far post.

When the final whistle sounded, Cameroon had not merely won a match; they had rewritten the tournament’s script. With Nigeria’s reign at an end, Morocco 2026 will crown a new African champion—a prospect that, before Sunday, had seemed almost unthinkable.

Cameroon will face host country Morocco in the Semi-finals of the competition on Wednesday August 12.

Panthere Du Ndé To Face Rayon Sports In CAF Confederation Cup Preliminary Round

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Panthère Sportive du Ndé, the 2025 Cameroon Cup champion, will open its TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup campaign against Rayon Sports FC of Rwanda in the first preliminary round following the draw conducted Aug. 6 in Cairo.

The opening legs are scheduled for Sept. 4-6, with return matches set for Sept. 11-13. Should Panthère advance, it would meet the winner of the tie between Atomic Ngomé of Comoros and Associação Black Bulls of Mozambique in the second preliminary round, which runs Oct. 16-18, with return legs Oct. 23-25.

More than 56 clubs learned their paths to the group stages, competing for one of African football’s most prestigious trophies and the $4 million prize for the eventual champion.

Clubs eliminated during the preliminary stage will receive a $100,000 solidarity payment from CAF to help cover travel and other logistical costs. The eight highest-ranked clubs received byes into the second preliminary round, while the remaining 48 teams will contest 24 two-legged ties in the opening stage.

The 24 winners will join the eight exempted clubs to form a 32-team second preliminary round, from which 16 victorious sides will advance to the group phase.

Among the most intriguing potential matchups is 12-time TotalEnergies CAF Champions League winner Al Ahly, which will face either Mogadishu CC of Somalia or Kitara FC of Uganda depending on the outcome of their first-round tie.

Defending Confederation Cup champion USM Alger received a bye and will enter against either The Panthers FC of Equatorial Guinea or Benin’s ASPAC FC. The Algerian side claimed its second Confederation Cup crown last season and will be among the leading contenders as it seeks to defend the title.

WirfonCloud Kicks Off Cohort 8 IT Fundamentals Training For AI & Cloud Computing Careers

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Training is officially underway for Cohort 8 of the WirfonCloud IT Fundamentals program, a comprehensive training initiative designed to prepare students across Cameroon for high-demand careers in artificial intelligence and cloud computing. For days now, students have been discovering the new face of the cloud world.

The 18-week, fully online program launched on August 3, offers intensive training across three foundational pillars: Linux Fundamentals, Networking Fundamentals, and Python Essentials. According to WirfonCloud, the curriculum has been designed to demystify complex cloud architecture and make essential tech skills accessible to learners of all skill levels.

The cohort is led by Banjika Ngo (Mfòómé Bá’tí Europe), an instructor with an extensive Amazon Web Services (AWS) background and over 15 years of IT industry experience. Throughout the course, participants receive full access to live interactive classes, online course materials, and a free companion PDF handbook titled Fundamentals of Linux for Cloud Learners, written by the instructor specifically to complement the curriculum.

Beyond standard instruction, students in Cohort 8 benefit from dedicated mentorship and specialized preparation for the Linux Professional Institute (LPI) Linux Essentials Certification, though individual exam vouchers are excluded. Upon completion, graduates gain lifelong entry into the active WirfonCloud Community to foster ongoing career networking and collaboration.

To expand access, WirfonCloud offered an exclusive 33 percent tuition discount for this cohort, bringing total tuition to FCFA 100,000 alongside flexible payment options. The program’s ongoing success builds on a strong history of regional impact, featured through student success stories across Africa, including testimonial videos available on the official WirfonCloud YouTube channel.

Detailed program information and updates on future cohorts remain accessible on the academy’s official portals, www.wirfoncloud.com and academy.wirfoncloud.com, or directly via WhatsApp at +250791921156.

Desmond Chamako Attributes Historic Three-Medal Sweep & Pro License To Discipline, Consistency

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Fresh off a remarkable three-medal performance at the just ended 2026 World Bodybuilding and Fitness Championship, Cameroonian bodybuilder Desmond Khan Awa alias Desmond Chamako has credits hard work, consistency and relentless discipline for his ascension to the professional ranks.

**Desmond Chamako, speaking while presenting his medals** (Photo: Mainimo Etienne)

Competing on home soil during the World Fitness Federation event that took place from July 24-28 in Yaounde, Awa delivered a standout performance across multiple divisions. He secured a gold medal in the classic men’s physique category, earning the title of world champion, and placed second in the men’s physique category to claim a silver medal.

His gold-medal victory qualified him to step onto the stage with professional competitors that same day, where he earned a second silver medal and officially secured his international professional license.

Speaking to reporters Friday August 7 in Yaounde, Desmond Chamako described the intense physical toll required to prepare for world-class competition, where athletes undergo extreme dehydration and strict diet protocols to emphasize muscle definition.

**Desmond Chamako** (Photo: Mainimo Etienne)

“It was very difficult because with bodybuilding, you don’t actually know your opponent until the day of the competition,” Desmond Chamako said. “During the preparation, you don’t eat. You stay dry from morning till you compete. You don’t even drink water — you just sip small amounts of water so your stomach isn’t full and you can present your muscles to the judges.”

Despite the intense pressure of competing against top international athletes, Desmond Chamako said his prior experience competing on international stages in Morocco and Dubai helped him stay composure under the spotlight.

“I had to challenge my competitors on stage because they also had great bodies, but I needed to present my body like an artist,” Desmond Chamako said. “On stage, you gain the judges’ attention if you are relaxed and don’t feel tense.”

Awa’s path to the global stage began in 2015 in Bamenda, where he started training in a small local gym with makeshift equipment constructed from sand and cement. Sociopolitical unrest in the region forced him to relocate to Yaounde in 2020, where he continued to refine his craft.

His dedication paid off in 2023 when he captured his first national title, catching the attention of the Cameroon Federation of Bodybuilding, which selected him to represent the nation at the 2026 world championship.

Looking ahead, the newly minted professional plans to step up his regimen, preparing his own meals and consuming six strict, nutrient-dense meals a day consisting primarily of chicken, rice and sweet potatoes.

Desmond Chamako hopes his achievements will serve as a blueprint for aspiring athletes across the continent.

“There is no big deal in bodybuilding. All you need is consistency, hard work and patience, because you can’t build muscles in one day or one week,” Desmond Chamako said. “It is high time for me to start inspiring the younger generation because I am no longer an amateur. I am a professional bodybuilder with the trophy and license to prove it, and sport is ultimately about health.”

Desmond Chamako’s manager, Desmond Ayima Teneng, expressed high ambitions for the champion’s future, noting that the goal is to see Desmond Chamako compete on the world’s biggest international stages, including future Olympic platforms, to continue making his country proud.

Sport analysts say, from modest beginnings with sand-filled weights to standing on the world podium, Desmond Chamako has proven that dedication and patience can turn dreams into reality.

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