The management of PWD Social Football Club of Bamenda, PWD Bamenda, in a press statement on Monday, reassured the public and football stakeholders of the safety of players and spectators who attended its troubled first division championship match at the Yong Francis Arena in Nkwen, Bamenda over the weekend.
The club’s declaration came after a gunfire incident disrupted the outfit’s matchday 11th fixture in the MTN Elite One football championship. The game was tied at 1-1 at halftime when the incident occurred. As players left the field for the break, gunshots were reportedly heard in the area, causing panic and disruption. “PWD Bamenda regrets to inform the public that its Matchday 11 fixture against Fauve Azur Elite at the Yong Francis Arena, Mile 6 Nkwen, Bamenda, ended abruptly due to unforeseen circumstances. The match began without incident, and at halftime, both teams were level at one goal each. As the players walked off the pitch, gunshots suddenly erupted, provoking chaos and preventing the resumption of play,” the club’s press statement reads.
Security forces assisted in evacuating both teams and match officials from the stadium. Before that, amateur videos captured the ensuing panic, showing fans running wildly and crawling on the ground to avoid stray bullets. In another video, players from visiting Fauve Azur were seen huddled together in a room, lying on the floor in fear. A 28-second clip featured an anonymous voice, presumably a member of Fauve Azur’s delegation, desperately shouting: “Why did you bring us here? There’s shooting everywhere. We’re in danger! This is impossible! Why are you putting us in danger? What does this mean? Did we come here to be sacrificed?” PWD Bamenda stated that no previous football match in Bamenda, whether in the elite or regional championships, had been affected by such an incident.
The club confirmed that investigations would be conducted to clarify the circumstances of the event. It also acknowledged the large number of spectators at the stadium and reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining football activities in the region. FECAFOOT has continued efforts to ensure that football is played across all regions of the country, including the North West. However, Bamenda has been grappling with security challenges linked to the ongoing Anglophone crisis, with armed groups clashing with government forces since 2016. The crisis has disrupted various sectors, including sports. Due to security concerns, Elite One matches had not been played in the Northwest Region for over 41 months, forcing clubs to relocate their home fixtures to Bafoussam.
On February 4, 2025, the Secretary General of the Transitional Council of Professional Football, Faustin Mbida, conducted an inspection visit to the Yong Francis Arena and approved its use for MTN Elite One, Elite Two, and Guinness Super League matches, citing an improvement in security conditions. However, this latest incident raises serious concerns about the feasibility of continuing to host matches in Bamenda. The return of Elite One football to the city was seen as an opportunity for local fans to support their teams at home. Yong Sports Academy had recently recorded its first victory of the season at the Yong Francis Arena, benefiting from the presence of home supporters. However, the disruption of the PWD vs. Fauve Azur match now casts doubt on the future of football matches in the region.
