By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
The Cameroon American Football Federation officially launched its new season Saturday February 21 with a “Flag Football Jamboree,” an event designed to expand the sport’s footprint through a display of national excellence and diplomatic camaraderie.
The season-opening ceremony at Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium featured a marquee matchup between the Cameroon American Football Federation (CCAFF) and a team from the U.S. Embassy Yaounde Mission.
The contest served as a high-energy introduction to the “American Football ” Culture for local spectators, many of whom were experiencing American football Sports for the first time.
The match was contested in two 20-minute halves with an accelerated clock, a format that prioritized situational intensity over traditional endurance. The fast-paced structure forced both rosters to abandon conservative strategies in favor of aggressive, no-huddle offenses.
Defensive play dominated the early going. The U.S. Embassy squad stifled two deep-threat attempts by the CCAFF but finally broke in the closing two minutes when the U.S. team capitalized on a defensive lapse. The second half saw the CCAFF mount a spirited comeback attempt as the crowd cheered, though the U.S. Embassy team remained steadfast.
The U.S. roster featured notable figures, including John G. Robinson, (Chargé d’Affaires ad interim at the U.S. Embassy in Yaounde), and British High Commissioner to Cameroon, Matt Woods, Joseph Love (Regional Security Officer, RSO), Harisson (ARSO), Public Affairs Director, Gaina Davila and the youngest 11-year-old American Footballer JJ Love among others.
Speaking after the game, John G. Robinson praised the sportsmanship on display, noting the event’s timing shortly after Super Bowl LX in the United States. The US interim Ambassador to Cameroon John G Robinson, emphasized that the game also served as an early celebration of the 250th anniversary of United States Independence Day.
“We are so glad to see so many students here today who are interested in American Football,” Robinson said. “. We’re counting on you because we don’t have a lot of people that we can play against. We are looking forward to having many, many football matches with Cameroonian Clubs during this year.”
Joseph Love, a key participant who helped and organized the event, noted that both teams spent a month preparing for the clash. Joseph Love characterized the game as a blend of “blood, sweat, and tears” with a foundation of friendship and Camederie in international Relationship.
“I endured the football grit and the determination that went through the game,” Love said. “In the end, it doesn’t matter who won or lost. We competed and we celebrated the game as a family.” He added that playing at the historic Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium is an honor, especially as he was able to share the field with his 11-year-old son JJ Love.
CCAFF President Awasum Junior hailed the match stating that it was a dual celebration of the federation’s growth and the U.S. semi quincentennial. He used the opportunity to outlined an ambitious program to bring flag football or American football to every region of Cameroon.
“We want to embody the ability for youth to use sports and education as a tool for development and growth,” Awasum Junior said. “It’s an ambitious program for us to grow our season and continue to develop the sport through competitions and events.”
The students from the various who witnessed the game expressed their appreciation and a desire to learn more about the American football, even though some of them were initially unsure about what was happening. They stated that they wanted to discover more and become involved in the sport.
The Flag Football Showdown attracted 14 high school students from various Yaounde colleges who participated in clinics to learn the fundamentals. Foundation Révélation Sainte Thérèse (FRST) was among the schools alongside Ayembe Investment Credit and Cooperative Society (AICCO).
The federation confirmed it will continue to emphasize the development of both tackle and flag football throughout the season.
