Elite One Playoffs: Bamboutos see off Canon, lays foundation for crunch clash against Cotonsport

Two first half goals without reply from Betoro Ali and Ekanga Lobe gave Bamboutos victory despite Canon’s late attempt of a comeback, led by Henri Tchike.

It took the opening minutes for hostilities to peak at the Bepanda Omnisport. 6 minutes in, William Ekanga’s ball in the area was fluffed by Brandon Djoufack who completely miscued with an open goal at his mercy.

Two minutes later, Betoro Ali Dang pounced on an attempted pass from Canon’s Francis Bailang at the 8th minute, and went for the spectacular, having seen Mbayinaissem off his line.

The midfeilder’s audatious chip beat 6 ft
5 Jourdain Mbayinaissem.

Canon looked stunned and were not even made to settle before the second goal came for the Mangwa Boys at the 19th minute.

Alex Diboto twisted and turned down the right before floating the ball for Ekanga Lobe who caught it sweetly first time.

For the second time in the evening, Mbayinaissem had to pick the ball from his net.

Canon started the second half with more firework and the Mekok Mengonda nearly got an equaliser a minute after the restart, if not for his Tchike’s costly chip.

At the 69th minute, the Mangwa Boys were at it again. Alex Louke split the defense with a run from the midfeild and his eventual shot crashed against the bar, as the over 27,000 fans at the Reunification stadium looked-on amazed.

After some sustained period of pressing, Canon finally pulled one back through an 82nd minute Paul Henri Tchike header.

A delivery was nicely weighted by Nkoue and the forward just headed pass Benjamin Munya with ease.

The game went on to end two-one Canon lacked any sting to complete the come back, and the next game which pits Cotonsport against Bamboutos on Thursday 18, now seems like a final before the final.

Canon will have to dust itself and try to defeat Gazelle on game day 2 while hoping results elsewhere favours them.