Breaking Barriers: Cameroon’s first all-female team steps into the phygital arena

In Cameroon, football and gaming have long been considered men-only territory – but now an all-female team has decided to change the script.

Women With Consoles recently made history with their debut at the Phygital Football Rivals event in Cameroon, becoming the first all-female side to compete on the country’s phygital stage. Stepping into a field dominated by male teams, they wanted to send a powerful message about inclusion, talent, and the future of the sport.

We sat down with two members of the team – Mbond Motassi Marthe Sarah, known as “Silence 7”, and Wouleje Patience, known as “Wander Pixt”, who talked about their experience, their views on the competition and their determination to prove that passion and skill know no gender.

How would you describe your overall experience at the Phygital Football Rivals event in Cameroon? What stood out to you the most?

Silence 7:I would say that, for a first experience, the phygital journey with the Women With Consoles team was really exciting. It was definitely stressful at times, but also incredibly rewarding to take part in a tournament where we usually only see men, and to show that women can compete in a sport they are truly passionate about. What stood out to me the most was the audience. Seeing a full crowd supporting us and recognizing that women can also play was an amazing feeling. It made the whole experience even more special.

What is your impression of the level of organization and professionalism at the event, and how important is that for the growth of phygital sport?

Silence 7: We would like to thank the organizers of the Phygital Rivals here in Cameroon for giving us the opportunity to participate in this event. They were amazing and did everything possible to make it a great experience and to make everyone feel at home. We hope they continue to organize more events like this, so that even more talented individuals have the chance to participate and be recognized for their abilities.

What inspired you to create a female team and take part in the Phygital Football Rivals event in Cameroon?

Silence 7: We’re all mainly inspired by our passion for this sport, the desire to showcase our talent and prove that women can play Phygital Football just as well as men. There is so much talent in Cameroon, and so many players who are simply waiting for the opportunity to be discovered.

You entered a competition where most teams were male. What message did you want to send by stepping into that space?

Silence 7: I just wanted to show that mixed competitions are feasible and that both men and women can compete together, respecting and supporting each other.

What kind of impact do you hope your participation will have on other girls and women?

Wander Pixt: I hope this shows that girls can take their place in this space and express themselves freely. It’s not always easy to be seen, but we deserve to grow and to feel happy in what we choose to do. If even one girl feels inspired to start because of this, that would already mean everything. For me, that would be a great achievement.

How did you bring your team together, and what makes this group special to you?

Wander Pixt: We came together through Women in Consoles, which is working hard to get more women into esports. We found a space for us to share, learn skills as well as patience, and mutual respect. And the really special thing about this team is the energy we create together – we support each other, even in difficult moments. For me, that is what matters most.

What are your next goals in phygital sport? Do you see yourself and your team coming back stronger?

Wander Pixt: My personal goal is to keep improving myself and my level, to become more consistent, confident, and strong. I truly believe we can come back even better in the future, because every experience makes us stronger.

How do you see the future of the phygital community in your region, and are you optimistic about its growth?

Wander Pixt: “The future looks very promising, but there is still a need for more support and visibility in our region. More people are starting to show interest, which is a great sign, but we can definitely do even more”.