Indomitable Lionesses still await premiums

Until we went to press on Wednesday, the players were yet to receive their premiums.

For some, the night was quiet and the phrase "sleep like a baby" made sense. Arrived in Cameroon on 23 June, the Indomitable Lionesses spent the night at the Mont Febe hotel.

They were eliminated from the 7th Women's World Cup, Canada 2015 by China (1-0) on Saturday June 20. If the night was calm and soft, Grace Ngock Yango (10), Patience Christine Manie (2) among others had a sleepless night.

"I have not slept. Unlike my teammates, I slept on the plane. I assure you, I did not sleep," Geneviève Ngo Mbeleck said.

"A fan club departed Douala with t-shirts and placards to hail our hope in Edea. We owe her this," says one of the members of the 'fan club Ngo Mbeleck'

Gaëlle Enganamouit, the darling of the public with Gabrielle Aboudi Onguéné were well rested. They moved around as the hotel lobby where the Lionesses were housed was always full.

But in-between breakfast, lunch and visits by families, we do not forget the issue of bonuses which was announced to be paid on Tuesday. The amount is FCFA 21.5 million for each of the players. In detail, FCFA 15 million (equity premium); FCFA 6 million (for wins, two in this case at 3 million francs each) and FCFA 500,000 as attendance bonuses.

15 hours after the deadline for payment, sources say the money has not yet been paid. Moreover, "we had the assurance of the authorities that the money is available and yet to be disbursed," says a source.

As we went to press, the issue had not been resolved.