Japoma Stands The Test

It goes without saying that the friendly encounter between the Intermediate Lions and the UMS of Loum was out to serve as a test match for the home-based lions who are preparing for the upcoming African Nations championship but most importantly as a test of the capacity of the newly constructed Japoma stadium to host a football game, a challenge that the stadium lifted in flying colours. It was a Japoma stadium in all its splendour that played host to the encounter with lights shining throughout the cube which glittered like silver in the night sky. 
The match which took place at night on purpose, enabled the stadium to display a lighting system which was so good that one could hardly feel it was night time as not even the shadows of the players could be spotted on the pitch as is the case with some stadiums. The electronic publicity banners round the pitch were also operational displaying images of the Cameroon flag alternatively with that of the participating countries in the upcoming AFCON and publicity spots for the construction company, Yenigun, CAF, and that of the official mascot of the tournament, ‘Tara’. The two giant screens that serve as score board and chronometer broadcasted high definition images of some Cameroonians artistes with an impeccable sound system. Lights from the various restaurants and different compartments of the stadium twinkled through the transparent edifice like stars in a clear sky.
As concerns the pitch itself, players attest to its good state which enable them to explore the full measure of their talent. “I feel honoured and lucky to have been among the first players to play on this stadium. It is magnificent and the green turf very good. The only missing in...