PWD social club of Bamenda will this Tuesday March 5, 2019 play defending champions’ cotonsport, in a delayed day seven encounter of the league one championship. It will be the first top flight meeting between the two sides, since 2005.
THE STAKES
There is certainly going to be pressure on the two coaches, as PWD as gone five match days without a win. Their only win of the season was on match day one, against Apejes in Bamenda. Playing at the Garoua slaughter house is certainly going to be a tough nut for PWD to crack, but the Abakwa boys can become just the second team to beat cotonsport at home, after Fortuna last season.
It is a must win match for the cotonites, following their shocking defeat to New stars last week. Cotonsport has not lost any of their two home matches this season, with wins over Tonnerre and Dragon.
RECENT FORM
Cotonsport has won two, drawn two and lost one of their five matches this season, scoring 10 goals in that process, and conceding just four.
PWD on their part has won one, lost two and drawn two of their games this season, with six goals scored and seven conceded, leaving them with just five points.
HEAD TO HEAD
The last two meetings between the two sides in the league have seen cotonsport moving away with a win and the other encounter ending on a draw. Cotonsport defeated PWD 3#0 on the 25th of May 2005, before holding PWD zero all at the Mankon Municipal stadium on 14 September 2005.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Daouda Kamilou of cotonsport has 4 goals already this season, and playing at home may be an opportunity for him to add his name on the score. Ngweni Ndasi is a fine defender for Cotonsport from the North West.PWD will count on Serge Manga and Owen Mbeh, to score the needed goals, in the absence of Kongnyuy Jude.
TEAM NEWS
Cotonsport trained at their complex on Monday morning, but coach Ebwelle confirmed that about four players are in the treatment room. It is still to be known which players are there, but Francis Elimbi is likely to be one of them. Innocent Assana and Simon Loti Omossola also miss out due to their engagements with the U23 lions.
For PWD, they did not have a recognizance of the playing ground, but this came to add to the absence of Kongnyuy Jude, Ade Minoef and Mondi Kagawa, who are reportedly sick. Coach Jean Baptiste Toguem embarked on the Garoua expedition with 16 players, with Ndeh Collins likely to make his debut for PWD. PWD’s midfielder, Louis Mbah is also absent, as he is currently camping with the U23 lions, in Yaounde.
PRE-MATCH DECLARATIONS
Speaking to Kick442.com immediately after their training session this Monday, coach Bertin Ebwelle said “the children are conscious that our last outing was not the best, we have to start again from zero and work hard as if we have never occupied the first place, be motivated and determine, to win all the three points which will certainly put us back to our real position”. Meanwhile Ngweni Ndasi said the spirit amongst the players, is the spirit of victory.
On his part, Coach Jean Baptiste Toguem of PWD said “I think we are up to the task, we reached Garoua in time, we had one full day to rest, and I discussed with boys to know that the match against cotonsport is a match that we need to do everything to comeback with at least a point”.
THE PITCH
The turf of the cotonsport complex is an artificial turf, and it will be the first time PWD is playing on such a surface this season. It will also be very hot, given the weather conditions up North.
AFESEH APONG .
@afesehapong (Twitter).
