Cameroonians celebrate first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations tournament win

Thousands of Cameroonians gathered in Yaounde on Monday to celebrate the national soccer team after they won their first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

The Cameroonian women were greeted by hundreds of supporters at the airport upon their return from Morocco where they beat Malawi 3-0 in Sunday’s final to claim this year’s WAFCON trophy.

The players were swept up in the sea of Cameroonian flags, jerseys and phones held high to capture their arrival. The electrifying atmosphere spilled on to the streets of the capital, where thousands of people lined up on the sidewalks to cheer the players as they passed.

“At the start of this competition, the girls were calm, and their mindset carried them to victory. They deserved it,” said Aline Mvogo, a 63-year-old fan who was at the airport.

Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses claimed the title unexpectedly — they had not even qualified for the tournament until a decision was made last year to expand it from 12 to 16 teams.

Although visibly tired, the players beamed at the elated crowds of supporters who sought to extend the celebrations that began the day before. On Sunday, the festivities continued late into the night in several districts of Yaounde. Music, car horns and Cameroonian flags resounded throughout the city and accompanied the outpourings of celebration in the streets of the capital after the final whistle.

“At the beginning of the tournament, I wasn’t really following it. Little by little, I started to watch,” said Florence Manga, a 26-year-old communications student “I’m proud; I saw a strong and determined team.”

The players paraded through the streets of the capital on Monday, proudly displaying their first Cup to the cheers of the thousands of people lining the roads.

Cameroonian President Paul Biya congratulated the “valiant, talented and intrepid Indomitable Lionesses” from Switzerland in a social media post on Sunday, hailing the trophy won at the end of a “well-executed performance.”