In a stark and ominous development, Nigeria’s football stars, including former national captain Austin Jay Jay Okocha and Daniel Amokachi, have been warned by the Ambazonian fighters against honoring an invitation from the President of the Cameroonian Football Association, Samuel Eto’o. The invitation is for a ceremonial tournament in Victoria City, Cameroon, on Thursday, November 30, 2023.
The warning, conveyed in a voice message by Comrade Chris Anon, claiming to be the head of the Ambazonia Interim Government based in the United States, threatened that those who attend the tournament will face lethal consequences. Eto’o had invited international football stars, aiming to promote relationships and football development in Cameroon.
The separatist group, advocating for the independence of Southwest Cameroon, deemed the tournament a mockery of the Ambazonian people. Anon emphasized that the security of Nigerian players, including Okocha and Amokachi, would not be guaranteed if they ignored the warning.
The Ambazonian Fighters ordered a total lockdown on Victoria City and Fago County on the specified Thursday. Residents were warned to stay indoors, with the violation of the order threatened with death.
In the voice message, Anon stated, “We seriously and strongly caution Jay Jay Okocha, Daniel Amokachi and others who are promoting and preparing to participate in the tournament to reconsider their involvement as their participation may unintentionally result in bloodshed.”
The fighters expressed concerns about the timing and location of the tournament, questioning Samuel Eto’o’s decision to organize it in Victoria, an Ambazonia territory marred by war for over seven years, resulting in the death of 30,000 Ambazonians. The separatist group voiced suspicions about potential exploitation of the situation for purposes not in the best interests of Victoria and Ambazonia.
