Victoria United beat wasteful Racing, qualify for Cup Semis

The South West Region has been gripped by euphoria all of a sudden. What looked dim has metamorphosed into a possible reality, as their darling club Victoria United continued to fly high in the 2017 edition of the Cup of Cameroon. 

The Opec City club on Saturday 27 October 2017 fantastically rewrote history after narrowly beating former champions Racing Bafoussam 1-0 in a quarterfinal match at the Omnisport Stadium in Bepanda Douala. 

Golden Boy Mutia Evaristus

Golden Boy Mutia Evaristus, who benefitted from a loose ball, shrugged off Racing defender and elegantly hammered pass goalkeeper Sylvain Nde at the 33rd minute. The response from the crowd was spontaneous as the hollow and dilapidated Bepanda soccer house went awash with the black and white colours.

Opopo President Ndive Thomas could not resist the sensations that rippled from end to end.

Opopo President Ndive Thomas (in glasses)

Coach Mbock Maput’s foot soldiers defended their lead through half time. Racing emerged from the tunnel ready to dismantle the Opopo wall. Their attempts were worth it but Opopo’s defence proved resilient. 

The 2016 South West champions hugely benefitted from the know-how of Captain and former Njalla Quan SA central defender, Edmond Sigala, and former UB FC star goalkeeper and Varsity golden glove winner Tayiwoh Princewill. 

Talking to Volcanic Sports, Coach Mbock said he had no pressure ahead of the quarters, and had to work hard to win Racing. He added that Racing almost ruined his tactics which was building his game from the defence.

  

Coach Ngougni said all was not well with his team, playing with just 13 players in the last six matches due to accrued bonuses and salaries. Note that Racing ended the 2016-17 MTN Elite 1 campaign in relegation.

Opopo fans 

After knocking out Le Tout Pouissant de l’Ouest, Opopo evidently predate on her opponents one at a time. Remember they humiliated Bafmeng United 5-1, proceeded with a 2-0 thumping of ‘elders’ Feutcheu at the round of 16, and now dwindling Racing. 

It was a fantastic revenge after Opopo lost to TPO at the 16th finals in 1996.  The sea side resort club are on the brink of glory and pride for an entire ‘MTN Elite-less’ region. 

To the amateur club, qualifying for the semi-finals is enough booster to emulate fellow Anglo-Saxon sisters Kumbo Strikers (2000 winners), Mount Cameroon (2002 winners) and YOSA (2013 winners). A fairy tale?

UMS v Y'de II

2015 champions UMS have joined Opopo for the semis after beating Yaoundé II 2-1 in the second match of the day. Others will be known by Sunday evening after New Stars-DAC and Lion Blesse versus YOSA at the Reunification Stadium in Douala.

Victoria United: Starting 11

16-Princewill Tayiwoh

3-Edmond Sigala

9-Walters Ntui

10-Desire Kanou

17-Adolf Sama

18-Roger Ekume

15-Paul Mbuh

14-Paul Rodrique

19-Charles Kelly

13-Evaristus Motia

7-Swithbert Kum

Subs:

1-Daniel Ahone

6-Samuel Nse

11-Kingsley Tengah

4-Yoah Willibroad

2-Pascal Tatchouana

5-Jo Elvis Mbonde

8-Michael Mondoa

Coach: Mbock Joseph Maput

Racing: Starting 11

16-Sylvain Nde

2-Franck Mengue

4-Willis Ntella

13-Peguy Ekontsio

3-Brice Mwembe

5-Cyrille Ekamba

7-Figo Junior

6-Michel Yemeg

10-Stephane Yintcheu

26-Eric Lafong

8-Aristide Vaillant

Subs:

15-Edouard Kom

14-Mbayikane Patale

Coach: Bertrand Ngougni