Elite One: Matchday-9 Review.
By Ngome Michael
Phase-1 of the Cameroon elite one Championship has come to end with Matchday-9 punctuated by major upsets on the part of Stade Renard of Melong, Aigle Royale and a positive take home for defending champions Coton Sport of Garoua.
A total of 20goals registered from 9matches, 5wins and 4draws averaging 2.2goals per game. PWD’s 2-2 draw with Gazelle and Coton’s 4-0 humbling of Apejes emerged top scoring fixtures with 4goals each.
Highlights of Matches.
David Pagou and Stade Renard’s unbeaten streak met an end at the Reunification Stadium in what was UMS’ second win of the season delivered by Bertin Ngamaleu from a sportkick in 50th minute. The result sees UMS leapfrog Fovu Club, Victoria United and Avion Academy into 3rd place in Group B.
A devastating run of 5defeats and 3draws which led to the ousting of coach Oliver Nankam appeared to be the right call for Aigle Royale who earned a 1-0 win against Colombe, their first in 9matches. Junior Mbembong scored in the Eagle’s invaluable win.
Coton Sport is on a rise despite a timid to the season, marked by a fourth successive league win against Apejes of Mfou. Midfielder, Issa Fadyl was on target in back to back matches, opened scores before Wassou doubled from a penalty then, a late brace for Emmanuel Mahop with his goal count for 2023 set.
Daniel Breard’s team has now scored 12goals in the last 4matches conceding just once. Coton Sport now within touching distance of Stade Renard in Group B. Apejes on the other hand end round-1 winless and as the team with the weakest attack, having just 4goals scored.
Bamboutos of Mbouda honored former player, Patrice Ejenguele who passed on November 24 2023 with a 2-1 victory over Astre of Douala. Koupit Mani sent in an early lead which was leveled by Corines Che but the tie would be settled before the break by Stepane Kaimba. Bediako and the Mangwa Boys maintain a steady chase of Dynamo. Bamboutos has scored the most goals of round-1, (20) and let-in (14).
Draws for Dynamo against Union and Canon with AS Fortuna means top four in Group A is separated by 6points, led by the Bon Ba Djob, Bamboutos, Canon and Union respectively. Seini Hamit’s equalizer took his tally to 6goals leaving him above Ateba on goal scorers chart. The 21-year-old is the only player on the golden boot race to score on Matchday-9.
Captain Nchindo John Bosco made YOSA end the phase with a 1-0 win over Fovu Club by scoring from the penalty spot at the Bamendzi Stadium. 8points from 2wins, 2draws and 4defeats for the Yellow Submarines.
Ngufor Terrence tookover scoring for PWD and aided his team grap a point against Gazelle FA with a brace inside last quarter. Yougouda Kada and Tessa Dave scored for the visitors.
Avion Academy and Fauve Azur shared the spoils.
In all, 79matches have been played in the first round of the championship with 178goals. The second round which will the end of the group phase is scheduled to kickoff on December 4 2023.
