After the 3-2 scoreline, fans could be seen Sarcastically applauding coach Ebwelle Bertin, and some went as far as aiming at him with insults.
There are pretty enthusiastic fans in Africa, and Cotonsport fans fall in that bracket. It already seems a decade ago when Coach Bertin Ebwelle was fan favourite. He came and steadied the ship, propelling them to a 15th league title and first in two years after he met them in a precarious position.
What a difference time can make, as on Sunday, the 13th fans started threatening the Gaffer with outrageous rants: ” we would send you away” they said. In deeper investigation, kick442.com discovered the coach had shot himself in the foot with his decision making in the beginning of the Kotoko game.
The right back position usually owned by Etta Bawak was given to Boubakary Sali, and Bawak was deployed to a defensive midfield role which he has never played that role at Cotonsport despite doing at great job there once in a while for other clubs in the past. Not everyone is a coach, but the fans at least have an idea on “do’s and don’t” of their team.; football is funny stationing Serge Andoulo to his usual left back position didn’t produce the impact he had later in the game when he was handed the dip midfield role for the first time at Cotonsport.
The former Indomitable Lion later realized there was no width on the left, lack of the protection of the back four-then Bertin Ebwelle (the conductor) changed his tactical application and got Etta Bawak to a more conformable left back position, swapping Andoulo to a deep lying midfield role. The consequence was; Bawak having a hand in two goals.
The Gaffer made a good choice by substituting a Leggy Francis Elimbi to eventual second goal scorer; Gueme Araina, but that went unnoticed due to his earlier howlers.
The former indomitable Lion is used to working under huge pressure from the fans, but just how tough could being the man at the helm of the best Cameroon club get? He certainly can win the heart of the fans by qualifying to the group stages of the CAF confederations cup.
Ebwelle Bertin has certainly got Cotonsport of Garoua playing good collective Football with the main problem being the porous nature of his backline. Cotonsport without league matches under their belts is certainly trying something good under coach Ebwelle who hasn’t been at the club for up to a year. There are signs that when the defensive problems will be sorted out this team will be a joy to watch.
Cotonsport face Kumasi Asante Kotoko next Sunday at the Baba Yara Stadium with a 2-3 deficit which if overturned,Ebwelle will be a national hero.
Giovanni Wannneh
