When Stephane Ndzana, head coach of reigning Cup of Cameroon champions Lekie Football Filles, stepped to the stage at the 2026 ANAFOOT Draft and called her name, Ange Kamgaing’s world changed in an instant.
The academy prospect of the National Football Academy (ANAFOOT) is heading to the Guinness Super League – the pinnacle of women’s club football in Cameroon.
“I am happy and excited because I will be playing in the first division for the first time,” Kamgaing told The Guardian Post Sports in an exclusive interview.
“I am happy to have been drafted by this great club. For me it is a step forward and I am really proud,” She added.
At 18, Kamgaing will join the Lekie FF roster for the 2026-27 Guinness Super League season.
She was one of two players, which also includes Kouna Edzoa, selected by the Centre Region club during the fourth edition of the ANAFOOT draft in Yaoundé.
Now in its fourth edition, the ANAFOOT draft is an annual event where clubs across Cameroon’s divisions take part in an organized selection process.
These teams take turns to choose from a pool of eligible talent drawn from ANAFOOT’s 10 regional pools. This year, 60 youngsters integrated elite, regional league clubs.
Dream come true
When ANAFOOT was created in September 2014 by presidential decree signed by Paul Biya, and became fully operational in 2017 following the appointment of Carl Enow Ngachu as director general, Kamgaing’s dream of playing football felt distant.
At that time, women’s football had yet to fully establish itself in the country. Kamgaing joined ANAFOOT, whose mission is to train young talents and develop high-level football across the country in 2022.
She spent four years honing her skills. It was not long before she emerged as one of ANAFOOT’s brightest prospects.
“I’ve learnt a great deal because ANAFOOT is first and foremost a family, rather than just an academy; we’re taught to be disciplined and to give our very best, both on and off the pitch, and during training sessions.” Kamgaing said.
Kamgaing was multi-talented on the pitch. She started out as a left winger when she joined ANAFOOT, before switching to full-back. It was during a routine game, when she was deployed at centre-back, that her coach discovered her true position.
“That’s your real position there.” Kamgaing narrated.
“Since that day, I’ve been playing as a centre-back. They’ve helped me improve physically, technically and even in my game,” Kamgaing explained.
Kamgaing added that: “Before, I used to be afraid of one-on-one challenges and wouldn’t head the ball, but today I’m capable of doing all that and more. I can only say a huge thank you to my coaches and to ANAFOOT because they’ve given me confidence and believed in me and my potential.”
At the 2026 ANAFOOT Draft, Carl Enow Ngachu said the women’s game had long been in the shadows despite young female players working as hard as their male counterparts, adding that they had not been given the same visibility.
He said the future of football in Cameroon would be built with women’s football. He encouraged young female players from the academy to dream big and inspire the next generation, citing Yvana Yakana, who honed her skills at ANAFOOT, as an example for young girls to follow.
A new beginning
After four years nurturing her footballing dream at ANAFOOT, Kamgaing looks destined for a successful career from an early age.
Kouna Edzoa & Ange Kamgaing joined Lekie FF from ANAFOOT
Arguably one of the academy’s most consistent youngsters, she has produced a string of eye-catching displays.
Lekie FF already boast one of the most talented squads in the women’s top flight. At the club, Kamgaing will learn from more experienced players.
The youngster has already built a reputation for grinding out results. Now she must replicate that form on the biggest stage.
Lekie FF will be counting on her undoubted talent. She is solid, reads the game well, excels in the tackle, and her aerial ability is outstanding. These are attributes that make her a complete defender capable of challenging for a starting berth if given the opportunity.
With big games looming, Lekie FF know they must address their defensive frailties to cement their status as title favourites for next season’s coveted trophies.
A new Yakana Makana?
Anyone who has followed Kamgaing’s footballing journey will attest that they see the shed of several top ranked footballers when she is playing. One of these players is Yvana Yakana Makana.
Yakana Makana is a former ANAFOOT trainee
While Kamgaing was still finding her feet at ANAFOOT in 2022, Makana was already being drafted the same year into Lekie FF from ANAFOOT. Today, the two are teammates at Lekie FF.
Makana was part of the women’s national football team of Cameroon squad that secured the country’s maiden Women’s African Cup of Nations trophy during the 2026 WAFCON in Morocco. Kamgaing also hopes to represent the country in international competitions and make the country proud like her now former ANAFOOT trainee did.
“For every girl who plays football it is a dream come true to be able to play for the national team. For me, it will be a great pride to represent my country in international competitions, Kamgaing said.