Minkreo Birwe made a return in the dugouts in the Cameroon league one championship, for the first time in about a year, since he left his services as head coach of Aigle Royal of the Menoua. The former cotonsport gaffer was on the bench for 2018 Cameroon cup holders, Eding sports of the Lekie, on match day 16 of the championship, as they saw off pool B leaders, Feutcheu FC, 2#1, at the FECAFOOT center in Odza. Feutcheu’s goalkeeper and captain, Eric Sadjo, gave Eding the first goal in the game, after he fumbled on a first half free kick, turning the cross into his own net. Junior Garhagne equalized before the break, but substitute Beo Bato Valentine got a late winner for Eding, which was also his third goal of the season, to cap a perfect return for Minkreo Birwe.
Eding sport has had a poor run this season under Jean Baptiste Bisseck, who stepped down last week, from his duties as coach of the side. Under him, Eding had recorded just 16 points from 13 games this season, managed just two wins, suffered three defeats and played eight draws. Minkreo Birwe initially recruited by the team as a technical director, then stepped in to fill the voids left by his predecessor. His return to management did not only offer Eding their third win of the season, but also ended Feutcheu’s run of seven matches unbeaten.
Speaking to kick442.com after the game, the gaffer expressed his joy for winning his first game with Eding sport. When asked about his transition from technical director, to head coach of Eding sport, Minkreo Birwe said “A technical Director is first a coach. In my contract, I was supposed to be on the bench as head coach of Eding next season. We expected that Jean Baptiste Bisseck will take the team till the end of the season, but unfortunately the results were not coming, so he said it was good he step down”.
Birwe’s first win takes Eding up to 19 points on the fifth spot, same number as YOSA, and revitalize their hopes of grabbing one of the playoff tickets, with two playing days to go. The team will next play Stade Renard on Wednesday, for match day 17, with the hopes of making it two on two, under Minkreo Birwe.
AFESEH APONG
@afesehapong (Twitter).
