Francis Yong Afumbom, Co-President of Cameroon’s League I Club, Yong Sports Academy, YOSA, in an exclusive interview granted Lions4life, has asserted that YOSA is destined for greater achievements this year.

He also mentioned the increasing turnout of supporters YOSA has been experiencing since they moved to Nkwen. He shares the secret behind the team’s stay in top flight football and also the challenges of getting a sponsor. Read on:

What do you think is behind a team’s success? Is it the players, coaches or management?

You can’t say a team and think it involves just the players. A team involves players, coaching staff, management of the team, other staff and the supporters also have a significant role to play. In our case, it is not different. We all have been working hand-in-glove to achieve this.

YOSA is currently among the first three clubs on the classification table, what is the team’s dream for the season?

You are correct about our position on the classification table. Our goal has always been to reach a better ranking than the previous season. We always prepare to win the next game, thus making victory our top priority, match after match. However, it doesn’t matter if we lose a match or win, but what is important is that the fighting spirit should be there in every player in the team.

Maintaining a team is all about finances; do you have what it takes to maintain a team, given that the founder of the team died many years ago?

To be honest with you, the founder of YOSA (Pa Yong Francis) had set up a system which we are following to maintain the team. I would be telling you a lie if I said that it is an easy task running this team. We have tried on several occasions to get sponsors, but nothing has materialised. At the moment, we are trying our best with the resources at our disposal.

Is government subvention enough?

(Laughs) I would let you answer that question.

After the Cup of Cameroon victory in 2013, it was reported that the team parted ways with Coach Emmanuel Ndoumbe Bosso in a controversial way, what transpired and why the reconciliation?

The team never parted ways with Coach Ndoumbe Bosso in a controversial way. He simply decided he wanted to challenge himself somewhere else which is very normal, since he had just accomplished a major goal with us. I wouldn’t call the return of Ndoumbe Bosso reconciliation; I will call it a homecoming.

What is the secret behind YOSA’s 10-match unbeaten record?

There is nothing extraordinary that we do here at YOSA. We keep it simple which is what we always tell our players. We also try to make sure each and every player is comfortable.

Has match attendance reduced or increased since the team moved to Mile 6 field?
Playing in Nkwen has been great for us. The team has also gained the support of the Paramount ruler of the Nkwen People, HM SF Azehfor III, who had attended two of YOSA’s games since we moved to Nkwen. We are blown away by the turnout in every match. The attendance keeps on increasing, and we are thrilled that YOSA has made such an impact on the people of Nkwen.

What are some of the challenges the club is facing?

Referees!! Referees!! Referees!! Some referees have caused us some downfalls. It would be great if our referees can handle matches fairly and professionally. This is because it is very frustrating when a team puts all the resources to prepare for a game hoping for a victory and then the referee comes and turns things around.

Your players are not complaining about their pay, how is that?

There is no secret, and it isn’t rocket science. It is simple; when you work, you get paid, or you lose motivation. So, we do our best to make sure players and staff are paid so as to keep that team spirit and level of enthusiasm.

Any message for YOSA supporters?

To the fans, I say
YOSA YOSA Allez YOSA
YOSA YOSA Allez YOSA
We are thanking you all for your continuous support and dedication to this our beloved team. We pray that may we all continue to support and motivate our players and staff. May God be our helper.