The 2019 football season in Cameroon finally kicked off this Saturday February 2, 2019, with two interesting games at the Yaoundé military stadium. A 1 nil score sanctioned both encounters in favor of Canon and YOSA in the league two and league one Championships respectively.
FECAFOOT’s president, Seidou Mbombo Njoya and the thousands of spectators certainly went home satisfied with the quality of play in the two encounters.
Canon New look off and running.
Canon sportive of Yaoundé under a new management team, got their first three points of the season, and makes it three straight wins over panthere in their three meetings in the league Two. The Kpa-Kum were largely the better side throughout the game.
Isaac Landry Ibongo’s goal at the third minute of the game was all coach Njeng Claude and his boys needed in a game that saw Chapdelain Mouaffo missing Panthere’s best chance of the encounter. Goalkeeper James Bienvenu Desire of Canon was busy throughout the game, but a clean sheet in his first league game made it sweeter. Coach Njeng Claude says Canon’s secret was that they simply wanted to play and enjoy their game, though laments the several squandered opportunities.
Panthere could not continue with the spirit they ended last season.
Captain Zachee Mbondi failed to command the troops. Stanley Mesumbe was Panthere’s standout performer, but Pierre Boyomo failed to bring his experience when it was much needed.
Coach Charles Kamdem of Pathere was crystal clear in his post-match reactions “my players had no self-confidence, no motivation; we have to work hard for the next game”.
YOSA sends a clear message to rivals.
Yong Sports Academy’s 1-0 win over Eding Sport is a clear signal that the Bamenda boys mean business this term. Cyril Fonou scored his first goal for YOSA, since joining from cross town rivals PWD, in 2018. Yves Alain Dooh Moukoko and Elvis Adu Wum proved just why they were the best center back pairing last season, as they frustrated all moves from Ahudu Lukong, Baliang Francis and Alfred Meyong. 18 year old Petit Fils Djamen stepped in to giant shoes left by Ngong Lionel at left back, and did exceptionally good, despite some nervy moments. YOSA won the midfield battles, and seems not to be missing the services of Roland Ngalle, as Randy Ntube, Bouba Yindui Fuashi and Chadian international Ningahar Otodyibaye over powered and silent Stephane Meyoupo and Pierre Ramses Akono. “Wonder boy” Ashu Tambe Clevis and Doctor Killah Gilbert, lectured Eding’s back four and even Ballon D’or winner Alphonse Marie Tientcheu could not help matters for Eding.
The Abakwa boys might have also found Chad a fertile ground for their goalkeeping compartment, as Serge Diguel took over from where his fellow countryman, Adoum Deffallah left.
Eding Sports’ right back admitted “YOSA is a team that places a lot. They play good football”
Coach Emmanuel Ndoumbe Bosso says the win is very important, because the league is a race and the first steps in that race are very important. He also salutes the performance of youngsters like Neville Ngong Gama, Adrien Mboma, and Petit Fils Djamen, who join YOSA from third tier sides.
YOSA started last season with a zero all draw against YAFOOT in Bamenda, and went on to line 17 draws, with 15 of them been goalless. So if the opening day of play is anything to go by, the fans of YOSA will wish to see 17 draws of last season converted to 17 wins this season.
AFESEH APONG
@afesehapong (Twitter)
