AMICAL NSIF/Former Indomitable Lions: The NSIF Pays Tribute to Marc-Vivien Foe, Jersey Number 17 of the Indomitable Lions
Together with the association of former Indomitable Lions, the memory of the legendary midfielder was honoured in a friendly match at the Yaounde military stadium on Sunday, the 25th of June 2023.
The match kicked off at 3.50 pm, just after the minute of silence in memory of the former Lions player who died on the 26th of June 2003. The opening goal in the 10th minute by the NSIF gave confidence to the fanion team, who tripled the score in the 34th minute, bringing the score to 3-0. 4 minutes before half-time, the former lions roared back and scored their first goal, bringing the score to 3 goals to 1.
After the half-time interval, the former Lions reduced the score to 3-2. But that was not enough as the fire-branded NSIF team took the score to 5-2.
Many spectators turned out to pay tribute to Marc-Vivien Foe, as did the coach of the Indomitable Lions, Rigobert Song. With commitment and entertainment, participants gathered in a convivial setting where sporting values and team spirit were the order of the day. At the end of the match, the NSIF team emerged victorious by a final score of 5 goals to 2. Michel Ngaffi was named man of the match with 4 assists.
His former team-mates can still recall some of the memories “I still remember that match as if it were today, I was quite close to him. On the eve of the match, he spoke to me and said he wanted to score in that match. Then I saw the scene where he fell and was taken to the dressing room, and a few minutes later we were told the sad news. At the same time, I invite young people to watch Marco's old games, so they can see his potential and everything he brought to our national team” said a sad Bill Tchato, Marc-Vivien Foe's former team-mate.
For the Director General of the NSIF, who is also the team's captain, this was not a competitive match “The magnitude of the victory is less important than paying tribute to Marc-Vivien Foe, who, according to some, was the lion of lions. We must never forget those who have served the nation. After their departure, they become our ancestors and we must always pay tribute to our ancestors. This is the case today. As for today's victory, I had warned them that they would be up against a strong team. We could have said that the amateurs play better than the old lions, but it's just a matter of form” concluded Noël Alain Olivier Mekulu Mvondo Akame.
“A lion never dies”. The maxim applies perfectly to the living monument that Marc-Vivien Foe left 20 years ago. On that day, he was defending Cameroon's colours in the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup. Through this match in his honour, the NSIF and his former teammates are marking with a golden stone the memory of this great champion, the pride of Cameroon as a whole.
