2023 Elite One Playoffs: Kpakum Back In Contention With 2-0 Win Over Gazelle

Canon Sportif of Yaounde defeated Gazelle FA of Garoua 2-0 at the Bepanda Omnisport stadium, to finally get their playoffs campaign on track, after a defeat in game day one against Bamboutos.

10-time Elite One winners – Canon will hope a result in the late kick-off pitting Bamboutos FC against Cotonsport ends in a stalemate.

How it happened

The first chance of the afternoon fell for Canon’s Bertin Essama after he was put through with a delightful pass by Essomba Fouda, but the striker’s shot was straight at Marcelin Mbahbi at the 11th minute.

Gazelle hit back with a chance of theirs four minutes later, with Thierry Djedouboum spotting Mbayinaissem off his line.

The forward’s attempt was firmly held by Mbayinaissem who avoided the embarrassing scenario of the first game, where he was lobbed in his area.

As 22 minutes clocked, Tombi made long strides on the left flank before spotting Emmanuel Mahop, who was free in the middle.

Emmanuel Mahop from a point blank range only shot straight at Marcelin Mbahbi, who made a quite routine save.

With the game headed towards halftime, center-forward Emmanuel Mahop headed-in from an inch perfect cross by Tchike Paul, to put the men of Souleymanou Aboubakar ahead at the 44th minute.

Canon debuted the second half with a switch of game style, as Baliang came in for Tombi Alemi.

Alioum Kada of Gazelle replied by bringing in 7-goal striker Calice D’or.

Mahop had a chance to score a brace and double Canon’s lead at the 62nd minute after Marcelin Mbahbi had spilled Abanda Fils’ cross, but the striker couldn’t place beyond Mbahbi who recovered well.

Canon probed and searched for a reassuring goal which was nearly gotten at the 76th minute, if Ngong Neville’s shot wasn’t saved by the bar.

The midfeilder was served by Tchike Paul and he had goalkeeper Mbahbi rooted with his shot, but the bar came to the rescue of Gazelle.

As time vanished, Gazelle pushed up top in search for an equaliser which left spaces behind the defense.

One of Canon’s standout players, Henri Tchike Paul side footed past Mbahbi from Ngong A Tiati’s couching for 2-0 at the 88th minute.

Canon ended victorious while all feather hopes for Gazelle’s maiden Elite One crown is now done with.