Match day 12 of the MTN Elite One saw contrasting fortunes across the league, with Colombe strengthening its grip at the top while all three Anglophone clubs endured a tough round.
League leaders Colombe Sportive of Dja and Lobo on Sunday February 16, secured a convincing 2-0 victory over defending champions Victoria United also referred to as One People One Power, OPOPO. The defeat extends OPOPO’s losing streak to four matches, raising questions about their ability to retain their title. Colombe, on the other hand, looks unstoppable, having lost just once this season, continuing the fine form that saw them lift the Super Cup earlier this year. PWD Bamenda and Young Sport Academy both faced another setback. The Abakwa Boys fell 2-0 to Stade Renard of Melong, while YOSA, playing at their new home in Mbouda, were outclassed by an in-form Coton Sport side with the same score line. Coton Sport remains unbeaten under interim coach Minkreo Birwe, while YOSA languishes at the bottom of the table, in desperate need of a turnaround.
Gazelle FA of Garoua pulled off a crucial 1-0 victory against Canon of Yaoundé at the Annex 1 pitch of the Omnisport Stadium, in the presence of FECAFOOT President Samuel Eto’o. The win keeps them within touching distance of the top, while Canon’s inconsistency continues to hurt their title ambitions. Meanwhile, Coton Sport’s 2-0 win over YOSA in Mbouda further demonstrated their resurgence. The Garoua giants have found stability under Birwe and are now serious contenders for the title once again. In the highly anticipated Douala derby, Les Astres secured a convincing 3-1 victory over Dynamo at the Bonamoussadi Stadium.
The win adds to Dynamo’s woes, as they struggle to establish themselves in the top flight. Panthère Sportive of Nde continued their impressive form, edging Aigle Royal 1-0 for their third consecutive win. Stade Renard of Melong capitalized on PWD’s poor form to secure a 2-0 victory, while Bamboutos FC of Mbouda, under new coach Anicet Mbarga Foe, claimed a hard-fought 1-0 win over AS Fortuna. With Colombe leading the pack, Gazelle and Coton Sport hot on their heels, and Victoria United, PWD, and YOSA struggling, the Elite One is shaping up for a dramatic second half of the season. Can the Anglophone teams recover and avoid a disastrous campaign, or will the dominance of Colombe and the northern powerhouses continue?
