South West to Bury Unsung Lone Anglophone AFCON Referee

The mortal remains of the late former President of the South West Regional Football League will be buried on Saturday 12 August in Limbe.

Late Wacka Ekuka Michael, a former Cameroonian born international referee, died on Friday June 30, 2017, at the Buea Regional Hospital after a protracted illness.

Pa Wacka’s death came 25 days after the legendary football commentator, Zachary Nkwo, bowed out.

The Unsung Hero

According to football consultant and archivist, Barrister Ashuntantang Tanjong, Wacka was the first Anglophone to referee matches of the Cameroon’s National Elite Championship.

Because he exhibited a rare mastery of the laws of the game, he became an international referee. 

His courage, firmness and straightforward character (also admitted by 69-year-old retired referee & current match commissioner with the regional league of football for the South West Region, Bengu Thomas) enabled him handle crucial First Division confrontations opposing traditional heavyweights of his epoch, notably, Canon Yaoundé, Diamant Yaoundé, Aigle Nkongsamba and the Douala trio - Oryx, Leopard and Caiman.

Barrister Ashuntangtang recalled that Wacka was chosen to referee the 1971 Cup of Cameroon finals in which Oryx FC Douala edged Aigle Nkongsamba 2-0 at the Military Stadium in Yaoundé. 

During his refereeing career, he attended the 7th and 8th Nations Cup played in Sudan and Cameroon respectively. He toured most African countries except South Africa and Nigeria for the good of the game. 

He laid down his whistle for good in 1982. Years later, he was appointed to head the Southwest Bureau of FECAFOOT, taking over from Namata Ewanga. It was in this capacity that Wacka was included in Cameroon’s delegation to the 1990 World Cup staged in Italy. 

In summary, the Late Michael Ekuka Wacka was the first Anglophone First Division Referee, the first Anglophone International Referee, the first and only Anglophone to referee a match at the AFCON, an executive member of the pioneer West Cameroon referees Association, and the last appointed Southwest president of FECAFOOT.

Here now is Wacka’s Funeral Programme

A Thanksgiving Mass will take place at St Martin de Porres Parish Bokwango on Friday 11 August at 4 pm. 

7 pm: Wake-keep without corpse at family residence opposite CRTV Buea.

Saturday 8 am: Removal of mortal remains from the Buea regional hospital mortuary. 

Viewing at family residence till 11am; then the funeral convoy moves to Limbe.

1pm: Requiem Mass at Catholic Church New Town Limbe. 

3 pm: Burial.

His burial is coming few days after that of ace football commentator Zachary Nkwo. Mr Nkwo's mortal remains were buried at Camp Sic, Bokwaongo, Buea.