They are making plans individually and collectively to travel to Equatorial Guinea and witness the event first hand.

With less than ten days to go to the kick off of the 30th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea, the football fever is on the crescendo among fans. While players intensify training in preparation for the event, supporters commonly referred to as the 12th player are equally making plans to travel to Equatorial Guinea to witness the event first hand and cheer the Indomitable Lions to victory. Given the proximity between Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, many Cameroonians are making plans individually and collectively to witness the African football jamboree live.

At the collective level, associations of supporters are organising charters for those who would like to make the trip to Equatorial Guinea. One of such groups is the association of supporters of the Indomitable Lions or Lion’s Fan club, led by Ekoto Ngbwa Luc who says they have two packages for people who want the attend the event.

The first package is reserved for members of the association and cost FCFA 543,000 full board comprising transportation from Cameroon to Equatorial Guinea, transportation within the country, lodging, feeding and entry tickets for matches. The same package cost FCFA 905,000 for none members of the association. The association is also proposing to help people in the acquisition of visas and say they will be taking a maximum of 50 supporters to the games.

Another association known as PROMOCAM-Camer is also organising a charter for the band of the group and any other interested person at about the cost of FCFA 500,000. PROMOCAM-Camer who were at the AFCON in Ghana, Angola, Gabon and South Africa, say they have reserved houses in Equatorial Guinea and will be taking a minimum of 50 people to Equatorial Guinea. The president of the association, Abolo Mbenti Louis however said they will be screening the list of supporters so as to avoid illegal immigration stressing that they will return with all the people they will travel with to Equatorial Guinea.

Outside these collective initiatives, some people are making individual plans to travel to Equatorial Guinea during the entire duration of the tournament or only on match days to cheer the Indomitable Lions to victory. However, many regret the fact that Cameroon will be playing far away in Malabo.

To reduce cost some are planning to travel to Bata by road before boarding a flight to Malabo. It is certain that the number of Cameroonian supporters who will be travelling for the games would have been higher, had it been Cameroon was to play in Bata or Ebebiyin which are close to the border with Cameroon. Cameroonian based in Equatorial Guinea are also making preparation to welcome their brethren on the occasion of the tournament.