By Angu Lesley
Football Writer kick442.com-Cameroon
Cotonsport of Garoua have recorded an important two-nil win against defending champions of the CAF Confederation cup RS Berkane this Wednesday in Garoua.
A 54th minute strike from substitute Marou Souaibou and a 72nd minute bullet hit from Arnaud Sibiri was all the Cotonites needed to reignite their chance of qualifying from the group.
Renaissance Berkane started on the front foot in the first five minutes of the game.
The first real chance of the game fell to captain Naji of RS Berkane who received the ball from a corner on the edge of the box and his shot on target was blocked by Etta Bawak at the expense of another corner which Cotonsport defended properly.
Renaissance had another chance in the 12th minute after Mohamed Faherane was found unmarked in the edge of the box but his effort went wide.
Barely two minutes later, Arnaud Sanou Sibiri tested the gloves of goalkeeper Zouhair Laabouri who comfortably gathered.
Ngueme Araina then made two great runs and tested the keeper with the next eight minutes.
The game stayed at 0-0 till the 30th minute with Cotonsport dominating but Berkane looking dangerous on counters.
At the 30th minute mark, Sadok Selmi from Tunisia sent both sides to the technical area for a two minutes water break.
Goalkeeper Zouhair Laabouri made a great save in the 40th minute following a good effort from Arnaud Sibiri.
Cotonsport got their first corner in the 43rd minute. Arnaud Sibiri took the corner and a half volley from Mamadou Hassana went wide.
Cotonsport had another chance in the 45th minute when Araina in the box found Bawak just outside the box but the latter’s effort was way off.
The game stayed on the goalless score till the break.
Cotonsport players returned for the second segment looking more willing as they dominated the opening five minutes.
Berkane’s captain Labri Naji was replaced in the 7th minute after he appeared to pick up an injury.
Substitute Marou Souibou scored Cotonsport’s opener in the 54th off an assist from Ngueme Araina barely a minute after coming on.
The goal gave the Cotonites the reward for their efforts all afternoon.
Alain Troare, Hamdi Lachir came on for the visitors in the 59th minute.
Two minutes later, it was rather the Cotonites who came closer to the second through another shot from Marou but yet his shor was saved.
Goalkeeper Narcisse Nlend Junior made a streak of four miraculous saves in a row to prevent Renaissance from getting the equalizer in the 68th minute of the game.
Arnaud Sibiri benefitted from a perfect pass from Fabrice Ebongue to score the second for Cotonsport in the 72nd minute.
Coach Souleymanou Aboubakar tightened things in the midfield by bringing on Francis Bailing in place of Daman Bouba.
The game ended on the two-nil score in favour of the Cotonites who move to the second spot in the group, they face Napsa Stars who played a 2-2 draw against JS Kabylie in Lusaka this Wednesday.
Cotonsport face joined leaders NASPA Stars in their next outing while RS Berkane confront JS Kabylie in an all-North Africa derby.
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