This is that period of the season when fans demand results, the coaches run out of ideas and tactics, the players start to suffer unforced injuries due to tired minds, and the heavy down pour of rains play a great deal in piling on the misery. Welcome to the second round of battle in 2018/19 campaign of the Elite 1, and it begins with a reversed fixture pitting Astre against Fovu.
Stakes
Just 7 points separate 7 placed Fovu, with top of the group UMS. It is only a fortnight when Astres seemed home and dry in second position, after leveling matters with YOSA, but they find themselves in 5 with 11 points, while Fovu continue going down the slippery slope, and are placed 7 on the log. A win for Astre might put them in control for the meantime depending on what happens to UMS, and a win for Fovu would take them to 12 points, over their opponents on the day.
Recent Form
Fovu is winless in 5, and their last victory came more than 21 days ago against YOSA, which is not up to standard in this division, and that is the reason why Magloir Mfutila and his men are left breathing heavily at the 7 place of group B
Fovu 2-1 YOSA
Fovu 0-1 Fortuna
Fovu 0-1 Stade Renard
Unisport 0-0 Fovu
Fovu 1-1 Eding
For Astre, it has been their dwindling form that have seen them loose their grip at the top end of the table. Astre have won 1 in 5, and are on the back of loosing to Feutcheu football club
Astres 1-1 Renard
Astres 0-1 UMS
Fortuna 0-1 Astres
Astres 1-1 YOSA
Feutcheu 2-1 Astres
These two are not in the best of shape, but there might as well want to drag themselves across the finish line, as we are already in the second round.
Past Encounters
The last 8 encounters have drifted the way of Fovu, and Astre seem to meet stage fright when ever they come up against Fovu
2013
Les Astres 0-1 Fovu
2014
Fovu 3-2 Astres
Astres 2-1 Fovu
2015
Fovu 1-1 Astres
Astres 2-3 Fovu
2018 Astres 1-2 Fovu
Fovu 0-0 Astres
2019
Fovu 3-1 Astres
Last time out
Last time out when Fovu hosted Astre in the reversed fixture this season, it was the highest goal scoring fixture recorded in match day 1 of group B, as Fovu ran riot on their visitors, putting 3 passed them. It ended 3-1 in favour of Fovu as a brilliant Victor Mengue laid down a statement of intent, striking a perfect hat-trick that handed him the match ball.
Players to watch
Victor Mengue has proven beyond all doubts that he can lead the Frontline. The golden boy of Baham has registered 4 goals and counting for the club. It is rare to pick out a defensive midfielder as a player to watch, but Michel Siloh has been a tower in the center circle for his club. The lad once played for the University of Yaounde II and he has grown into that role, learning all the virtues of the club.
GIOVANNI WANNEH.