By Ikome Christie-Noella Eposi in Buea
A friendly football match between Fako Women N’Endinge (FAWONE) Buea Chapter and Fako Female Lawyers has taken place at the Buea Town Green Stadium as part of activities marking the 41st edition of International Women’s Day. The match, played on Friday, March 6, 2026, ended with FAWONE defeating the Fako Female Lawyers by four goals to one.
The sporting encounter, which attracted supporters and members of both associations, was organized to celebrate women’s achievements while promoting unity, physical well-being, and advocacy for women’s rights under this year’s theme, “Rights, Justice and Action for Women and Girls.”
Speaking after the match, the President of FAWONE Buea Chapter, Barrister Joan Koko Lyonga, explained that the football game was organized to enable women relax and reduce the stress associated with their daily work.
According to her, the event also served as a symbolic way of demonstrating the importance of women exercising their rights, including the right to participate in sports and recreational activities. “We organized this friendly match so that we could exercise our rights, especially the right to physical education which helps reduce stress,” she said. “Lawyers spend most of their time doing book work and handling cases, so we thought it wise to come together, relax, and celebrate Women’s Day through sports.”
Barrister Lyonga added that beyond competition, the encounter was meant to foster solidarity among women. “At the end of the day, all of us are winners because we are celebrating women,” she noted.
She also praised members of FAWONE Buea Chapter for their active participation in activities leading up to the celebration of International Women’s Day. According to her, the group recently won first prize for cultural dancing during an event at the Women’s Empowerment Centre.
On her part, the President of the Fako Female Lawyers, Bar. Elizabeth Njonji, said the friendly match was not only about recreation but also about raising awareness on women’s rights and the importance of taking action. She emphasized that women often carry numerous responsibilities in their homes and workplaces, making it necessary for them to find opportunities to relax and maintain good health. “Women are always busy with work, family responsibilities, and many other commitments,” she explained. “This football encounter gives us the opportunity to relax while also promoting the message of rights, justice, and action for women.”
Barrister Njonji further highlighted the ongoing efforts of the Fako Female Lawyers to educate women in communities about their legal rights, particularly in areas such as property ownership, domestic violence, and widowhood practices.
According to her, many women still suffer in silence due to lack of awareness about the protections provided by the law. “There are many women who do not know that the law gives them the right to own property or seek legal redress when they face injustice,” she said. “Through our sensitization campaigns, we encourage them to speak out and seek help from legal institutions.”
She also pointed out that women should not depend entirely on men for financial support but should strive to empower themselves economically and socially.
The match itself was an entertaining display of talent and teamwork, with FAWONE Buea dominating most of the play. The star performer of the day was Elizabeth Namondo Nalova of FAWONE Buea, who scored three goals to secure victory for her team and emerged as the woman of the match.
Nalova expressed surprise at her performance, noting that it had been a long time since she last played football. She commended both FAWONE and the Fako Female Lawyers for organizing the initiative and called for more activities that bring women together. “I appreciate both organizations for creating this opportunity,” she said. “It has been a long time since I played football, so scoring three goals today is quite surprising. I hope activities like this can be organized regularly.”
FAWONE has continued to play a vital role in advocating for gender equality and women’s empowerment in the region. Its objectives include promoting peace for sustainable development, empowering vulnerable girls and women to reduce poverty, and advocating for greater participation of women in social and economic life.
Organizers believe that initiatives such as the friendly football match not only strengthen solidarity among women but also serve as powerful platforms for raising awareness on critical issues affecting women and girls.
As the both associations joined the rest of the world in commemorating the International Women’s Day, participants at the event say the message remains clear: women must continue to stand together, speak out about their rights, and take action toward building a more just and equitable society.