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Cameroon protects Lions Presidential guard to escort African champs home
Posted: Monday February 14, 2000 06:25 PM
YAOUNDE, Cameroon (AP) -- Presidential guards escorted Cameroon's new soccer champions home, apparently fearing revenge attacks by angry Nigerian soccer fans whose team lost the African Cup in Lagos. Cameroon's President Paul Biya dispatched the delegation of soldiers and officials, led by a traditional chief, just hours after Cameroon's Indomitable Lions beat Nigeria 4-3 on penalty kicks after a 2-2 regulation tie on Sunday, Cameroon state radio reported Monday. No reason was given for the move, although local journalists said Cameroonian officials and players feared a backlash by mobs of Nigerians. Nigeria and Cameroon have a fierce soccer rivalry, and violent incidents at club and international matches in both countries are not unusual. The West African nations have had tense diplomatic relations over the years stemming from army clashes in the oil-rich Bakassi peninsula. At least 87 people have died in the fighting since 1994. Both countries claim sovereignty over the peninsula. Yet on Monday, there was no reports of soccer-related violence in either country. The Cameroonian team arrived at the airport in the capital, Yaounde, early Monday to a rousing welcome from crowds of supporters. Elsewhere in the city, tens of thousands filled the streets as taxis careened past with fans sprawled across the top, waving flags and singing. Biya, who marked his 67th birthday on Sunday, declared Monday a national holiday to celebrate the championship win. The cup had earlier been marred by violence during Nigerian games against Republic of Congo and Senegal. Officials in Ivory Coast held their team in detention for two days as an apparent punishment for poor performances.
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