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Cameroon Sports Minister Denies Misappropriation of Lionesses' Bonuses Amidst Tournament
🇨🇲 Cameroon /Sports

Cameroon Sports Minister Denies Misappropriation of Lionesses' Bonuses Amidst Tournament

From Journal du Cameroun · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Cameroon's Minister of Sports, Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, denies allegations of misappropriated bonuses for the Indomitable Lionesses.
  • The ministry states that all expenses, including local and international travel, accommodation, and bonuses, have been covered.
  • A total budget of over 2.7 billion FCFA was allocated, with participation bonuses already disbursed and performance bonuses being finalized.

Cameroon's Minister of Sports and Civic Education, Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, has vehemently denied persistent accusations that bonuses for the national women's football team, the Indomitable Lionesses, have been confiscated or diverted during their participation in the Africa Women Cup of Nations in Morocco.

In a statement dated August 12, 2026, the minister asserted that "no bonus problem exists within the delegation of the Indomitable Lionesses." He strongly condemned the spread of false information. The ministry confirmed that the state has covered all costs associated with the team's preparation and participation in the tournament, including travel, accommodation, meals, medical support, and bonuses.

No problem of bonuses exists within the delegation of the Indomitable Lionesses.

— Narcisse Mouelle KombiMinister of Sports and Civic Education, addressing allegations of misappropriated team bonuses.

Addressing rumors of financial impropriety, Minister Kombi detailed the financial operations. The government allocated a budget of 2,447,378,950 FCFA, with a firm tranche of 1,404,378,950 FCFA and a conditional tranche of 1,043,000,000 FCFA, dependent on the team's performance. An additional 288,210,615 FCFA brought the total to 2,735,589,565 FCFA.

The state has taken charge of all expenses related to the preparation and participation of the Lionesses in the Africa Women Cup of Nations.

— Narcisse Mouelle KombiMinister of Sports and Civic Education, detailing the financial support provided to the team.

The minister reported that disbursement has begun. Participation bonuses totaling 923,000,000 FCFA have been fully transferred to the delegation members' accounts, amounting to 30,000,000 FCFA per player. Performance bonuses, including those for reaching the quarterfinals (8,000,000 FCFA per player) and semifinals (6,000,000 FCFA per player), are currently being finalized by the Ministry of Finance. Additional bonuses are stipulated for winning or placing second or third in the final.

These clarifications aim to reassure the public and the Lionesses, who are set to face Morocco in the CAN semifinals following their quarterfinal victory over Nigeria. The minister's statement seeks to quell the controversy surrounding the team's finances.

Participation bonuses for the delegation to the CAN have been transferred in their entirety into the accounts of the delegation members.

— Narcisse Mouelle KombiMinister of Sports and Civic Education, confirming the disbursement of player bonuses.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Journal du Cameroun in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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