Martin A. Nkemngu
15 December 2008
The Military Lions have for the second consecutive time been crowned champions of Africa at the end of the 7th edition of the African Military Football Cup held in Kampala, Uganda. The Lions who won the cup in Yaounde two years ago, beat Algeria 4-3 in a post match penalty shoot-out in a hotly disputed final.
The victory of the military football team has brought much-needed relief to Cameroonians who have lately been frustrated by dismal performances of their national teams in several fronts. When the military team emerged victorious two years ago, some observers credited the success to the advantage offered by the home ground. This time around, the games did not attract much interest in Cameroon especially as the national team, the Indomitable Lions had suffered a humiliating defeat recently in South Africa.
To make matters worse, the female version of the national football team had also been knocked out of continental competition in Equatorial Guinea. So nobody really imagined that the military team would fare any better in Kampala. This feeling was further strengthened by the fact that very little was known about serious preparations for the tournament. Some even underestimated the ability of the head coach, Jean Paul Akono to lead the team to continental victory.
They were wrong! The performance of the Military Lions shows that the outcome of the tournament was not a matter of sheer gamble. From all indications, it proves that the victory was a result of meticulous preparation, training and hard work. Jean Paul Akono worked silently and steadily providing the team with the necessary techniques and know-how for a near-flawless performance.
In Kampala the Military Lions put up a terrific performance showing steady progress as the competition moved to highest gear. After pulling a one-all draw against the Gambia, they went on to defeat Algeria 1-0 to top group B with 4 points. They later beat South Africa before crowning their endeavour finally against Algeria once again in a hard contest.
The performance of the Military Lions proves that success does not come through mere adventure or luck. It is the fruit of hard, organised and sustained training in discipline and sacrifice. The message of the victory from Kampala is that those charged with training of other teams should get down to serious work like Akono and his military boys for, it is often said that success is working towards success. And the time for work is now, not tomorrow. If better results are expected from the Lions tomorrow, those concerned should get down to work now. That is the secret.
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