By Boris Esono Nwenfor
Sports Writer, kick442.com-Cameroon
It was a fiery encounter between UMS Loum and FC Yaoundé II as the Limbe Centenary Stadium welcomed Elite one matches for the first time since 2019. And it was UMS that went home with all three points for their match day one encounter of the Elite 1 championship.
Former Union of Douala player Manga Mbah with the lone strike to give UMS victory this Sunday, March 20. This was the third meeting between both UMS Loum and YAFOOT and the first since 2018. During that season, UMS defeated YAFOOT 2-0 in both encounters and finished second on the log, only behind Coton Sports.
Both sides began the encounter on the front footing looking to catch the other off guard. Leonard Acah with the first meaningful opportunity but his strike was wide of the goal post. The aspect of shooting wide will be the characteristic of this encounter with both teams failing to maximize the chances created.
After succeeding to halt the attacks of UMS, FC Yaoundé II started mounting their own attacks. Luc Joel’s strike will be saved by goalkeeper Noah. There was an issue whether the ball had crossed the line before but the central referee says it hadn’t.
Goalkeeper Noah was then called into action at the 30th minute with another outstanding save, though it was judged offside.
Lucas Kevin Ndi was very instrumental in the encounter for UMS with several goal scoring chances fallen to the player. The conversion rate however, left more to be pleased from the player. On several occasions his shots from close rage went wide or was saved by goalkeeper Joseph.
Esomba who was a key player in the game will come close for UMS but his strike was saved by goalkeeper Joseph. He showed his class in the entire game producing some vital saves to keep his side in the encounter. That kind of form will have to be the same all through the season if FC Yaoundé II will end the season on the good footing.
A very physical game, with an excess of more than 24 fouls committed between UMS and FC Yaoundé II. The deadlock was finally broken in the second half after a back pass from Esomba gave an opportunity for Manga Mbah to open the scoring for UMS. Manga Mbah is an experience player looking at his journey from a several Elite 1 clubs like Union Douala.
FC Yaoundé II will intensify their pressure and they went in search of the equalizer. Leonard Acha with an opportunity but his shot went above the crossbar. They will keep pressing but UMS defended to claim all three points at full time.
Mach stats
Shots on target = UMS 2 FC Yaoundé II 2
Shots off target = UMS 8 FC Yaoundé II 6
Offsides = UMS 0 FC Yaoundé II 4
Yellow cards = UMS 3 FC Yaoundé II 3
Red card = UMS 1 FC Yaoundé II 0
Saves = UMS 5 FC Yaoundé II 2
Corner kicks = UMS 7 FC Yaoundé II 5
Ball possession UMS 40 FC Yaoundé II 60
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