By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
The core values of the US Embassy in Cameroon were on full display during the thrilling finals of the 2024 Intersections Football Tournament held on July 13th at the Febe village football stadium in Yaounde. The Community FC (RSO) emerged victorious, exemplifying the spirit of the competition both on and off the field.
The final match, presided over by US Ambassador to Cameroon H.E Christopher J. Lamora, saw first-time finalists Community FC face off against Integrity FC (Chancery), who were returning for their second consecutive shot at the title after a narrow defeat in 2023.
The eager teams battled for dominance, and the crowd erupted in cheers as the Community FC capitalized on a defensive error in the 7th minute, taking the lead through Emmanuel Mbinkar Shiylajing. The Integrity FC responded with determination, but the first half concluded with Community FC maintaining a 1-0 advantage.
The second half saw Emmanuel Mbinkar shine once more, scoring two additional goals for the Community FC at the 48th and 55th minutes. However, Integrity FC refused to concede defeat. Christian Fondze Kakiyi converted a penalty at the 58th minute, followed by another goal from Anaba Idriss two minutes later, bringing the score to a tense 3-2.
However, Integrity FC pressed on, narrowly missing an equalizer with a disallowed goal for offside position. Despite their valiant efforts, the final whistle was blown by the central referee Njikam Derek, declaring Community FC the champions with a 3-2 victory.
Speaking shortly after the game, Ambassador Lamora commended both teams for their excellent sportsmanship throughout the tournament. He acknowledged the close contest in the finals, stating, “Community FC played exceptionally well. Their win reflects well on the entire Embassy community. The other team, Integrity Fc, also played tremendously, and we look forward to next season.”
He stressed the significance of the core values embodied in the competition. “These values of Respect, Integrity, Community, and Efficiency have been a cornerstone of the embassy since my arrival two and a half years ago,” Ambassador Lamora explained. “They unify us, provide a shared sense of purpose, and strengthen us as a mission.”
The Ambassador further highlighted the multifaceted benefits of sports, including promoting physical fitness, mental well-being, discipline, teamwork, camaraderie, and a sense of community within the embassy.
Isa Adamu, President of the Striking Eagles Soccer Team, expressed his satisfaction with how the mission values have permeated daily life and work ethics. “When we embody respect, integrity, community, and efficiency, everything we do flourishes,” he said. “The Striking Eagles are committed to incorporating these values into our constitution, and they will serve as our team names going forward. They are a guiding principle.”
Looking ahead to the next tournament, Isa Adamu outlined plans to raise the bar. “We aim to start earlier to avoid the rainy season,” he said. “We’re also developing guidelines for player allocation, ensuring everyone knows their team well in advance. This will allow for proper training and preparation.”
Joseph Love, the U.S Embassy Regional Security Officer, RSO echoed the sentiment of community spirit. He remarked, “The team community represents what Cameroon, Yaounde, and the Embassy is all about. It shows how we can come together, win or lose as a team, and ultimately have a great day where everyone displays sportsmanship.”
The Community FC’s Louis Laiyo received the best player award, while Fondze Christian Kakiyi of Integrity FC and Mbinkar Emmanuel Shiylajing of the Community FC were crowned the tournament’s top scorers with 7 goals each. Additionally, the Respect FC was recognized for their exemplary sportsmanship and took the award for fair play.
The 2024 Intersections Football Tournament, organized by the US Embassy Yaounde’s Striking Eagles Soccer Team, fostered a spirit of unity among American and Cameroonian participants and spectators for over two months. The Community FC takes the championship title from the 2023 winners, Pandores FC.
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