Queens of the Market

Market women show their class at their own tournament

BBC Sport Online's Martin Etonge takes in the action at the market women's tournament in Yaounde.

Encouraged by the victories of the Indomitable Lions, market women in Cameroon have been showing some football class of their own

This year's international women's day provided the opportunity for Cameroon's market women to organise a tournament for six womens teams in Yaounde.

It was the third edition of the tournament, and provided much fun, with the rule book taken with a pinch of salt.

"I am too old for my husband to decide what is good for me

Stephanie Onguene, aged 54

Each team had 20 players, 11 starters and nine possible substitutions.

The off-side rule was waived, and games consisted of two halfs of 30 minutes each.

The referees were told not to strictly apply the rules.

The game was sweeter that way.

According to the supervisor of the tournament, Mr. Paul Ndjiki of the delegation of women's affairs, the competition was aimed at helping the women keep in shape.

"We also want to get them enjoy the national game of football. They have been seeing their children play and win big competitions. So let them also get fun from it", Ndjiki added.

Age is no barrier.

The oldest lady in the tournament was 54-year-old Stephanie Onguene who had some fun.

As a central defender, she helped her team from the Mokolo market reach the final which they lost 0-1 to Elig-Edjoa.

She had some spectaculars moments that won her applause from the crowd.

"I started football when I was eight, but was forced to abandon it by a family decision which even stopped boys from concentrating on football" said Stephanie.

Undulating ground

"Even my husband did not want to see me enter a football pitch, but when this competition was launched, I decided to come in."

Stephanie, who is a mother of seven, decided to make up her own mind about playing football .

"I am too old for my husband to decide what is good for me. After all, sports is to help me keep fit and I find great fun playing" she said.

The women wore an interesting array of kit for the games which were played on rough and undulating terrain.

The final was played at the University of Yaounde ground, and was watched by the minister of women's affairs, Catherine Bakang Mbock.