2017 AFCON Qualifier: Limbe Stadium to host Cameroon Vs South Africa

The newly constructed 20,000 capacity stadium in Ngeme, Limbe has been baptised the Limbe Omnisport stadium.

The official naming of the stadium was done Tuesday 26 January by the Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Pierre Ismael Bidoung Mpkatt, during the baptism and inauguration ceremonies of the stadium.

The Minister announced that after consultations, the hierarchy of the country has accepted the proposal given by the administrative and traditional authorities of the South West Region as concerns the name of the stadium and disclosed that officially the name of the stadium is ‘Limbe Omnisport Stadium’.

He called on all the stakeholders in the entire South West Region involved in the construction of the stadium to double their efforts in order to meet up with the deadline.

Pierre Ismael Bidoung Mpkatt equally disclosed that the Limbe Omnisport Stadium shall play host to the 2017 African Nations Cup qualifier between the Indomitable Lions and the Bafana Bafana of South Africa on 26 March 2016 and as result he said the stadium must be homologated by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Pierre Ismael Bidoung used the occasion to extend gratitude to President Paul Biya for the great interest he is showing in the promotion of sports activities in the country.

He equally extended words of gratitude to the Prime Minister Philemon Yang for his contributions towards the organisation of the 2016 female African Nations Cup and 2019 African Nations Cup in the male category.

The sports boss thanked the various members of Government who are directly concerned with the organisation of the upcoming two major football competitions for enormous support and contributions, before thanking the CAF expert, Hope Assogbavi Komlan, for his collaboration during his visit to the 20,000 capacity stadium and also the traditional rulers of the region in general and Fako division in particular for blessing of the stadium.

FECAFOOT President, Tombi A Roko Sidiki, who was equally in attendance, expressed his great pleasure to the Head of State for making it possible for Limbe in particular and the South West Region in general to have the befitting 20,000 capacity stadium and challenged stakeholders in the entire region to handle the stadium as a piece of gold.

Tombi A Roko Sidiki also thanked the traditional rulers and population of Limbe for providing their lands for the construction of the stadium. He equally reiterated the fact that the stadium will be homologated by the Confederation of African Football following the visit of the CAF expert, Hope Assogbavi Komlan, adding that Cameroonians should have no doubt about that.

Tombi also announced that the 2017 African Nations Cup qualifier between Cameroon and South Africa on 26 March shall take place at the Limbe Omnisport Stadium and that measures will be taken to get the stadium fully ready before the encounter.

On his part, the Government Delegate to the Limbe City Council, Andrew Motanga Monjimba, equally used the occasion to assure the CAF expert that the Limbe population is ready to host the 2016 female and male African Nations Cup respectively.

He said Limbe has all that it takes to host the two competitions taking into consideration the friendly, sports loving and hospitable nature of the town before adding that the Government, councils and the population are not leaving any stone unturned in the organisation of the two competitions.

Motanga also thanked the Head of State President Paul Biya for giving Limbe in particular and the South West Region, in general, the stadium.

The Government Delegate to the Limbe City Council pleaded on the Minister of Sports and Physical Education to put in place mechanism for the maintenance of the stadium which according to him is jewellery to Limbe.

Otto Molungu Molive, president of Limbe Chiefs Conference, used the opportunity to thank the Head of State for enabling Limbe to have the magnificent stadium and assured the Minister of Sports and Physical Education and his delegation that there will be fair play, that the gods and ancestors of Fako Division will enable fair play before, during and after the competitions before presenting special gifts to the Minister of sports.

The inauguration and baptism of the 20,000 capacity Limbe Omnisport Stadium was preceded by two exhibition matches in the male and female categories.

In the first match that was in the male category, Victoria United alias “Opopo” of coach Joseph Mbock whitewashed sister side Best Stars Academy by three goals to zero with a brace from Gustave Ndelle while in the female encounter, the Under 20 lionesses of Cameroon equally walloped a South West selection of coach Joseph Ekokobe by 4 goals to zero.

The ceremony that had an impressive turnout was also attended by a cream of Government Ministers, Sports and Physical Education officials, National Fecafoot members, Senators including Senator Peter Mafany Musonge, Vice President National Assembly Emilia Lifaka Monjoa, Senior Divisional Officer for Fako Zang III, indomitable lions of Cameroon team manager Alphonse Tchami among others.

There was also animation at the stadium that was done by the Limbe City Municipal band, close to 20 dance groups and the famous mascot of the indomitable lions of Cameroon, Ngando Pikette.