AFCON: Before the referee is blamed for Lions crash!.

The Guardian Post congratulates the Indomitable Lions and Coach David Pagou, for that marvelous achievement, which ended with two roaring goals against them from host, Morocco.

Many bookmakers had predicted the results, especially given that with the host advantage of teeming cheers, the Atlas Lions of Morocco, had gone unbeaten in 24 matches, a run stretching back to their last-16 exit at the 2023 edition of AFCON.

According to the BBC, Morocco "had a dominant display against Cameroon and played in a febrile atmosphere, reminiscent of those produced by North African fans at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar”. 

Morocco's side never looked in any real danger, with no shot at target "from the Cameroonians in 90 minutes”.

For Coach David Pagou, Lions made Cameroonians proud, despite their quarter finals elimination. 

"I am proud of my players. We held our own against Morocco and left the competition with our heads held high..."

He added that: "Morocco ended our run in the tournament, but it's not the end for our team...we faced difficulties in this match, we came back strong in the second half, but the second goal we conceded sealed the game's fate”.

“I'm satisfied with the team's performance. We have a new group, and we must recognise the players' merit and what they have done for the Cameroonian people. The future looks promising for our young players, some of whom are experiencing the continental tournament for the first time. I learned a lot, and we're taking away many positive things from this experience,” said the coach.

In the spirit of sportsmanship, FECAFOOT President, Samuel Eto'o Fils, didn't complain about the referee. He instead congratulated the host in a letter addressed to the Royal Moroccan Football Federation.

He said: "The Moroccan team won the match. On behalf of the Cameroonian delegation and supporters, I would like to extend our respectful greetings and congratulations, in a spirit of fair play and mutual respect".

He added that: "We also wish to express our deep gratitude for the exemplary organisation of this competition, as well as for the warm and welcoming hospitality extended to our team, our delegation, and our supporters, by the Moroccan people. The display of hospitality, observed throughout the venues we visited, testify to the remarkable preparatory work carried out by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation. We wish the Atlas Lions the best of luck in the remainder of the competition".

But in the Cameroonian society system where some pro-Eto'o Fils supporters in their unbridled support for his poor management of the football association will brandish systematic management failures with excuses, the referee was made the scapegoat.

The social media was agog with members of the Eto'o Fils fan club ridiculing the referee as the "12th player" for the Moroccans. Others said the Cameroon squad was denied a penalty. 

However, Claude Mbede, a reputed Cameroonian sports journalist, who was on the sidelines, in his report on social media, wrote later:  "The referee was fair and managed the match well. The Cameroonian players came with apprehensions. And they spent the time complaining instead of playing. When you win, the referees are good. The entire blame lies with the football federation. The leaders are solely to blame. While countries are investing billions to prepare for the AFCON, FECAFOOT was excluding coaches and players from the team".

He continued: “You don't break up a team that's already formed on the eve of a major tournament! You don't come to the AFCON to test players. Let's face it, our boys gave their all. But that was their true level. David Pagou was up against a more experienced tactician. It's hard work, order, and discipline that win an AFCON”.

That's what makes a winning team. AFCON requires long preparation and not the inefficacy of soccer development in the country as observed in the delays to start the local league, playing grounds used for the last AFCON Cameroon hosted are uncompleted and not in good conditions, referees threatening strikes before they are paid.

Football is mangled with politics. And how, for example, does Eto'o campaigning for the CPDM candidate at the last presidential poll perceive players who wanted the number one lion to go on retirement?

How do you exclude a world-class goalkeeper like Andre Onana without justification and expect results?

As football fans "cry in their houses" for the crash out of the Lions from AFCON, as it was with the 2026 World Cup, The Guardian Post is delighted that Coach Pagou, said: "I learned a lot, and we're taking away many positive things from this experience”.

We also hope the FECAFOOT President also learnt too, so as to emulate the preparation of the Moroccans. And if he does his best without ego or scores- settling and the team is defeated, the results should be accepted with satisfaction and not to look for excuses just to conceal ineptitude.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3671 of Monday January 12, 2026