The Santa Cowboys beat the Yaoundé Lions 50-13 to win the fifth annual Cameroon Cup to conclude another successful American Football Federation of Cameroon Championship of flag football.

“I’m very happy with the competition and with my team,” said Cowboys captain Munang Othniel Bongo.

Philippe Fimaissou of the Lions added: “Our opponents were a bit better than us. They were well prepared and had more technical players than us. I’d like to take my hat off to all the young people who play this sport.”

The finals were played at the Yaoundé Omnisport Stadium, Annex 1 on Saturday, July 29, in the presence of the president of the American Football Federation in Cameroon Mr. Awasum Junior, alongside the personal representative of the Minister of Sports and Physical Education Mr. Bernard Djoda.

The home team Lions were unable to contain their opponents from the Northwest Region in the first half and trailed 24-0 at halftime. After returning from the locker room, the Lions scored their first touchdown, but the reigning champion Cowboys quickly replied with a five-yard touchdown to extend their lead to 30-6.

With four minutes to go, the visitors established a 33-point advantage, before Yaoundé reduced the deficit with a touchdown to make it 40-13. The irrepressible Cowboys scored another ten points to run out 50-13 winners.

The victory put the Santa Cowboys at the top of the season’s final classification in Cameroon ahead of the second placed Yaoundé Lions, the Douala Dockers who finished third overall, and the fourth-placed Garoua Crusaders.

“We would like to thank the President of the Republic, H.E. President Paul Biya for his encouragement of the sport of American football in Cameroon,” said Mr. Awasum Junior, President of the American Football Federation in Cameroon.

“We also thank the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education through the personal representative of the Minister for presiding over the finals, public authorities for their administrative help, partners and well-wishers including the United States Embassy in Cameroon through the voice of H.E. Christopher J. Lamora, H.E. Daniel Ngassiki of the Republic of Congo Embassy and all our athletes and staff that continue to work hard for the growth and development of American football in Cameroon.”

Photo: American Football Federation of Cameroon