Joseph-Antoine Bell reacted angrily to Cameroon’s defeat by Senegal on the second day of the group phase of the 2023 African Cup of Nations.
Faced with a more formidable opponent, Rigobert Song’s team lost on Friday evening in Abidjan, where the temperature was over 32°C and the humidity over 75%. In a match dubbed the “Battle of the Lions”, the Cameroonians were dominated 3-1 by Sadio Mané and his team at Yamoussoukro’s Stade Charles Konan Banny, which took a while to fill up. The Senegalese, thanks to excellent match management, took the lead through Ismaïla Sarr (16th) and Habib Diallo (71st), before Sadio Mané definitively sealed the fate of the match in stoppage time (90th+5). Jean-Charles Castelletto had meanwhile given the Cameroonians hope by scoring in the 83rd minute.
This second consecutive victory, following the initial 3-0 win over Gambia, reinforces Kalidou Koulibaly’s team’s position at the top of the formidable Group C and qualifies them directly for the Round of 16, joining Cape Verde, the group’s first qualifier. However, the win leaves Cameroon, currently third with just one point from their 1-1 draw with Guinea, in a precarious position.
André-Franck Zambo Anguissa’s team-mates no longer have their fate in their own hands in the battle for second place. They must beat Gambia, who are currently in last place but also in search of points, by a margin of at least three goals. They must also hope that the Syli National, currently in second place with 4 points and a goal-average of +1, lose to Senegal. This situation underlines the complexity of the equation that Cameroon must solve if they are to progress in the competition.
Joseph-Antoine Bell shows great anger towards Senegalese and Ivorian journalists
Former Cameroon international Joseph-Antoine Bell showed great irritation towards Senegalese and Ivorian journalists after the match, which he watched from the stands. These journalists, representing two of Cameroon’s footballing rivals, tried to obtain comments from the former goalkeeper, which led to a tense exchange.
When one journalist asked him for his analysis of the match, Bell, 69, retorted by questioning his nationality: “Are you asking me as a Senegalese or not?” The journalist replied that she was asking as a journalist, but Bell persisted: “Do I have to answer your question too? You are here. You are Ivorians and Senegalese asking me this question”, he retorted, expressing his displeasure. He then concluded scathingly, causing the microphones to scatter: “You were there at the first match and you’re there too; so you’re being dishonest when you ask me what’s not working.” This exchange clearly illustrated the prevailing tension.
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