Funeral of Jeanine Christelle Djomnang held in Cameroon

Tributes paid to goalkeeper Jeanine Christelle Djomnang

The funeral of Jeanine Christelle Djomnang, the goalkeeper of a Cameroonian women's side, has taken place in her home town of Batoufam in the western region of Cameroon.

The 22-year-old collapsed before her Femina Stars Ebolowa team took on Louves Minproff on Sunday 8 May, and she died of a suspected heart attack on her way to hospital.

It came just two days after Cameroon International Patrick Ekeng died whilst playing for Dinamo Bucharest in Romania.

The funeral ceremony began on Saturday with Djomnang's body taken from Melong to Batoufam.

The country's sports minister Bidoung Kpwatt read out a condolence message from President Paul Biya to the family during the funeral.

The president of the Cameroon Football Association (Fecafoot), Tombi A Roko Sidiki, expressed the sadness of the whole football community.

"The word devastated does not suffice to tell the grief of the Cameroon football family," he said.

Simen Felix, representative of the University of Yaounde 1, described Djomnang as, "a brilliant student the university is going to miss".

Fomo Poula, the captain of Femina Stars was also amongst those paying tribute.

"Christelle, you played only two games for Femina, but we discovered an interesting personality in you and someone who unites people".

Also present was the President of the Women's Football Commission, Aster Yvonne and members of her commission, as well as the Governor and senior divisional officer and the traditional rulers of the west region.