MTN Elite One: Bamboutos Brings PWD ‘Back To Earth’ With Opening Day Win

EX Eding Sports winger Koupit Mani was the difference this Wednesday March 17 in Mbouda, as Bamboutos defeated the 2021 Cameroon Cup winners PWD in group B of the Elite One Championship.

The defeat comes in as a reality check just 3 days after PWD won their first ever Cameroon Cup trophy against Les Astres.

Generally, it was flat at the MTN Mbouda arena as the both sides started pretty slowly.

It took up until the 12th minute for Bamboutos to register a shot on target.

PWD replied minutes after with winger Nzo Ngong’s shot off target and later, a header straight in the hands of Patrick Leonel Kibyen, for PWD’s first attempt on target at the 16th minute.

PWD grew in statue as the game went on. It took a point blank save from Kibyen to keep Ulreich Zang from scoring the opener at the 24th minute.

Seconds after, in a move started by Nsangue, through for Brandon Djoufack, the latter’s attempted cross met a great recovering tackle from Ngwang Bryan, stopping Kemajou from scoring.

33 minutes in, Kemajou had his first clear cut chance with a free header but he couldn’t quite control his neck muscles goal-bound.

three minutes later, the 25 year old erstwhile New Stars forward (Kemajou) could not get on the end of a cross that was driven in by Koupit Mani. That miss took the two sides to the break.

Chem Herbert, fresh from being voted the MVP of the Cameroon cup was let in by a wonderful pass from Moluh, but the teenager rounded Kibyen, and was with the goal at – his mercy. He rather rushed his shot off (47).

The game finally wore the garment of massive attacking prioress the over 7 thousand fans clamoured for. A couple of seconds after Herbert’s miss, Tchahou brought a wonderful save from goalkeeper Bello, with a first time volley at the 48th minute.

The Mangwa Boys well marshalled by Ndombe Bosso kept pushing. 52 minutes in to the second half, Tchahou was at it again, this time with a header that had Bello back peddling and pulling off a superb save.

Bamboutos was making lots of headway and it was at the 69th minute that the Mangwa Boys made the breakthrough.

It was a two second half substitutes; Benjamin Bieleu and Nandjou who combined to send the ball into the area. Bello didn’t time his outing to perfection, and Koupit Mani was there to tap in.

It ended 1-0 and David Pagou can forgive his boys prolly because of the energy exhausted in the Cameroon Cup final against Les Astres.

The remainder of games in group B will follow on Sunday March 20 at different sites.