The Cameroon national football team, the Indomitable Lions, recently arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa, for their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) qualifier match against Namibia.
The Indomitable Lions arrived at O.R. Tambo International Airport, headed to their accommodation at the Sandton Hotel. Their trip from Cameroon, however, faced unexpected challenges. A visa complication involving one of their key players, Yvan Neyou, delayed their departure and disrupted their pre-match plans.
According to team press officer Thierry Ndoh, the Lions’ flight finally departed from Yaoundé-Nsimalen International Airport at 2:20 PM on November 12, 2024. The delay arose because Neyou lacked the necessary entry visa for South Africa, and efforts by Coach Marc Brys and Fecafoot to resolve the issue were initially unsuccessful, despite his importance to the squad.
In a final effort, Cameroon’s Ministry of External Relations intervened, contacting the South African Embassy in Yaoundé to expedite the visa. Neyou was eventually able to join the team, allowing them to land in South Africa at 7:20 PM, though not without a tense wait.
Upon arrival, the Lions were warmly welcomed at a reception hosted by Cameroon’s Ambassador to South Africa. Now settled, the team can refocus on their upcoming match against Namibia at Orlando Stadium, ready to put travel complications behind them and focus on the CAN qualifier ahead.
