CUSA defy Opopo fright ahead of déjà vu quarters

The air of uncertainty and controversy that held the SW regional league hostage has been kept at bay. The long wait is finally over and the anxiety that usually characterizes any knockout stage of a soccer bout has taken over. 

Opopo

Preparations are reaching fever pitch as quarterfinal D-day draws near. On Saturday 18 November 2017 in Buea, Best Stars will challenge Maumu Youths while Eyonde FC of Mbonge battle with St. Peters of Limbe.

Action will move to Limbe on Sunday November 19 with EEMSA and Cinyodev Football Academies poised to predate the other. The team that has sensationally animated the SW region of late, Opopo, will square up with the Catholic University Sports Academy.

Amateur image of CUSA

Sizing up the déjà vu fixture-Victoria United Vs. CUSA

The battle line has been drawn. The stakes are very high, especially in the camps of Opopo and CUSA, a remake of the 2016 knockout fixture. 

By virtue of experience and their impeccable ride in the 2017 Cup of Cameroon, Victoria United alias Opopo look to be the favourites in this year’s title chase. 

Away from recent form and first round brilliance, that the 2016 champions bashed Little Foot of Mutengene by 8 goals to 1 in a final group stage encounter, makes her future opponents to want to wake up from slumber even if they had been sleeping consciously.

Opopo finished top of Pool A losing just a game throughout the group stage.

Astonishingly, the Coach of the Catholic University Sports Academy, Enobi Brandon, says they are a steady ship and Opopo cannot capsize them. Talking to Volcanic Sports, Coach Bakala said he was counting on three things: God, Unity and experience.

The Team Manager of Opopo, Diffang Nelson says their camp is quite aware of the plans of their enemy. 

Opopo versus CUSA is therefore an overriding quarterfinal fixture that commands mind games and debates. However, one thing is certain, a football game has never been won before it was played.  

All is set as the 8 clubs look to antagonize and make the most out of opportunities the weekend will present. To all the clubs, winning is imperative because the region is in dire need of an elite club.

Full interviews (Conducted Monday 13 Nov. 2017):

Ngolo Collins Ikome (CUSA Attacker)

"We are a hundred percent prepared for the mini inter pools, and we are ready to represent the SW at national level. I don’t know much about my opponents Opopo, but there is one thing about football; it is played on the pitch, 11 players on either side.  We have been encouraging ourselves to listen to our coach, and as players, believe in ourselves."

"I know we have a good coach, we have young players, a good team and believe in ourselves. We’ll have the day."

Vefonge Wana Isaac (CUSA Captain)

"Preparation is good success. We have taken time to train more and keep our coachs’ instructions. I think we are more focused this season."

Coach Enobi Brandon

Question: How much have you prepared your team for the knock-out?

"Apart from training sessions, we have had friendlies to put our feet back to the ground.  The suspense was too long due to the reorganizing at FECAFOOT. The result of the 8 matches we have played is favourable. We are really ready to face the challenges."  

Question: At this level of the competition there are some names you want to avoid. Names that make you to want to wake up from slumber even if you were sleeping consciously. One of them in this our case is Opopo. And last year you met them at this level where they won, how have you been orientating your boys?

"We are focused on representing this part of our nation. Our focus is to qualify. Last year we had such fixtures and the results were not bad. Victoria United is a good team, they have good coaches, good number of supporters, a great name and giants in the SWR. I don’t have fears apart from preparing my team to withstand the challenges."

Question: You may not have fears but at this level of the competition you need a little a bit of experience in order to push through. So how much of experience do have in your team? 

"We are not actually depending on experience, we are depending on depending our kind of players. We have a solid team centred on Christ, oneness, unity and determination. Taking about experience, I have: Ngolo Collins (former Opopo player), Ebong Allen (former Captain of Mt. Cameroon), Gredson Ayuk and Mulango Robert."