Following the Lionesses’ triumph at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON in Rabat Morocco, a performance Cameroonians acknowledge was more than brilliant, many have flooded social media with a wave of humour, praise and good-natured banter, much of it directed at the country’s men, who are once again finding themselves at the receiving end of online jokes.
For years, football glory has largely been expected from the Indomitable Lions. But after the women delivered what many had long been waiting for, the balance of power in the national football household appears to have shifted dramatically. One of the most shared comments summed up the mood perfectly: “What the Lioness has done, the Lion has become speechless.”
Others have gone even further. Some social media users are proposing that not only should the national motto be revised from “Peace, Work, Fatherland” to “Peace, Work, Motherland”, but that the opening verse of the national anthem now be “O Cameroon, thou cradle of our Mothers.” Much to the amusement of users, women now claim they are no longer bringing anything to the table as they are now the table. The nation’s admiration has become so intense that some internet users have jokingly proposed that everyone should be dressed in the Women’s Day fabric for a week straight, in honour of what the women have achieved.
One particular comment amusing the men observes that women are seemingly on all fronts – bearing children, catering for their homes, running companies and still defending the nation’s honour on the football pitch, saying “what a man can do, a woman can do even better”
According to some, the women have clearly received President Paul Biya’s memo of making the current mandate one dedicated to youths and women and are executing it with remarkable efficiency.
But jokes aside, the Lionesses have reminded the nation that talent, determination and leadership know no gender. Surely their story will inspire young girls across the country as supporters continue to enjoy one of the rare moments of collective celebration. For now, social media belongs entirely to the women. After all, when the Lioness speaks through victory, the Lion becomes speechless.
Claudette Chin
