The Indomitable Lionesses are back in the Cameroonian capital the day after their first continental title. Their arrival in Yaoundé preceded that of the President of the Republic, H.E. Paul Biya, announced by the Prime Minister, Joseph Dion Ngute, in his speech to the Cameroonian delegation in Morocco.
Champions of Africa for the first time in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations football category, the Lionesses returned to Yaoundé on Monday, August 17, 2026, in the afternoon. Welcomed at Yaoundé Nsimalen International Airport by authorities and fans, they were given a crowd reception all the way to the Mont Febe hotel where they settled in.
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The African champions return home with the trophy of the 14th edition of the Women’s AFCON. They celebrate this great victory with the Cameroonian people, but in the absence of the President of the Republic Paul Biya and his wife Chantal Biya. Having left Yaoundé on June 7, 2026, for “a short private stay” in Europe, the presidential couple is still outside the country’s borders, 71 days later. From Switzerland, the president signs appointment acts and loan authorizations.
He was represented at the Women’s AFCON final between Cameroon and Malawi last Sunday by the Prime Minister, Joseph Dion Ngute. Repeating the message the delegate sent to the players by phone, the head of government subtly announced the imminent return of the President of the Republic to Cameroon. “President Paul Biya and Mama Chantal Biya have asked me to tell you that they are waiting for you in Yaoundé with the cup. You therefore have the duty to honor them,” urged the coordinator of government action.
Taken literally, the reported remarks indicate that the head of state will be in the country when the Lionesses return from the expedition, laden with the fruits of their conquest. However, the cup arrived in the land of the Indomitable Lions before the President of the Republic, thus ruling out the literal understanding of the statement.
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Figuratively, this announcement prepares the Lionesses and the people to see the presidential couple again as soon as possible in Yaoundé. They will celebrate the continental victory with Valentine Nguele’s girls, the entire Cameroonian delegation that was in Morocco, including government members and the Cameroonian Football Federation. This is the hypothesis that remains possible.
After their victory, the head of state addressed his first words to the Lionesses via his Facebook page. “Congratulations to our valiant, talented, and fearless Indomitable Lionesses! Thank you for the magnificent 2026 AFCON trophy, won after a well-executed recital,” wrote the head of state on August 16, confirming the interest he attaches to the team’s performances.
Now that honor has been given to the presidential couple and the entire Cameroonian people, Aboudi Onguene and her teammates await the presidential couple in Yaoundé to celebrate their first continental title. Undoubtedly, something is being prepared in this regard.