Elite One Embarks On Marathon Second Round Finish
By Ngome Michael
Cameroon’s top flight championship (Elite One) resumes this weekend, (February 17) following close to five weeks of recess owing to the African Cup of Nations in Côte D’Ivoire.
Matchday-15 sets the pace for an electric final four matchdays which concludes the second half of the championship. From there, the top four each group clash on who becomes the league winner while bottom eleven,(6 group A, 5 group B) wrestle to retain elite one status.
These crucial four matchdays will take place in approximately one week, the Transitional Council (CTFP) has a chronogram to that effect. February 17 (Matchday-15), February 21 (Matchday-16), February 25 (Matchday-17) and March 02 ( Matchday-18).
Day-15 Fixtures and Stakes
CTFP moved Gazelle FA Vs Astre to Sunday February 18th, meaning just a single game on Saturday, Young Sport Academy Vs Coton Sport in Mbouda at 3:30pm.
The defending champions crawled their way to the top on goal difference from 1-0 win over UMS of Loum putting an end to a four match winless run. Similarly, YOSA had a quite impressive streak cut by Stade Renard at the same venue. Ndikum Blaise and boys look to overturn a 2-0 defeat suffered in the first round.
Tied on 14points each, UMS and Fauve Azur lock horns in a promising 6th against 7th clash. Coincidentally, they both share same number of wins (3), draws (5), but the Faya Boys have endured 10 league defeats as opposed to UMS’ 7 with less matches played.
Victoria United stand a chance of moving into title contender spots when they welcome Avion Academy on Sunday. The team is on a resurgence and unbeaten in their last five and can count on league’s top scorer Nji Richmond (13goals). The reversed fixture ened 2-2 and Avion is without win in their previous three outings.
A vital point won at Bamboutos left Dynamo in the lead of Group A but must now avoid defeat at all cost against Canon in a bid not seed a position held for months now. Just two points seperate both side with Canon back in Douala where they lost 1-0 to Union. It promises to be a mouth-watering encounter with eyes fixed on Bon Ba Djob without talisman Ateba.
Bamboutos will have ears on the ground in Douala while taking Aigle Royale. A draw between Dynamo and Canon gives Bamboutos on 23points the opportunity to secure top spot, but must beat El Pacha (Aigle Royale) who have droped points only once in previous five matches.
Struggles at Union of Douala led to the ousting of Jeunie Nguengom replaced by the experienced Ndumbe Bosso but the Nassara Gamamakai are yet, left in 8th.They travel to a PWD side four places and 5points ahead.
Astre hired Gabriel Zabo Toze when getting positive results became a problem under Ernest Agbor before the break. The former Coton Sport assistant was unable to win a point with the Brazilians of Bepanda in three consecutive matches. Sunday’s opponent’s, Gazelle share a similar record but would certainly want to regain home support.
Stade Renard, Colombe Sportive also go up against AS Fortuna and Apejes of Mfou, all bottom sides in their respective groups.
