SW League: Opopo Struggle as St. Peters trounce Eyonde 5-0

The lost luster and effervescence of soccer in the South West Region of Cameroon seemed reclaimed over the weekend as this year’s quarters (dubbed Mini Inter Pool) hit the ground running in prolific fashion.

Maumu Youth FC

Amidst tight security and crowded grounds in Buea and Limbe, Victoria United alias Opopo, EEMSA, Saint Peters and Maumu Youth became the four football clubs qualified for the semifinals of this year’s South West Regional Championship, commonly referred to as the Android League.

There was drama at Limbe Centenary Stadium on Sunday 19 November as EEMSA equalised late against Cinyodev and proceeded to win 3-1 on penalties, with defending champions Opopo coming from behind to edge CUSA 2-1. Opopo have now beaten CUSA at this stage back-to-back.

However, the first two teams to sail to the last four were Maumu Youth and Saint Peters. On Saturday 18 November at the Molyko ground, Maumu defeated Best Stars by penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw at regulation time while Saint Peters bashed Eyonde 5-0.

Massive attendance and a frenzy atmosphere characterized highly absorbing and entertaining cracker between Best Stars versus Maumu. The game seemed over when Ajoh Akomu Richard spectacularly made it 2-1 for Maumu at the 89th minute.

But seconds later, substitute Njie Thomson Ewona skillfully broke the excited Maumu defence to equalise, sending the game to extra time.

During penalty shootout, Maumu Youth penalized Best Stars 5-3, after midfielder Ashu Brice Tabi sliced his shot off the frame.

Quizzed at the end of the seesaw confrontation, Coach Njuku Barnabas of Maumu said no team was to be underestimated at quarters. He was happy they had qualified, adding that there was no time to waste vis-à-vis semifinal preparations.

After dominating the championship from 2013 to 2015 (claiming a hat-trick of trophies), Coach Djoufack Saturin came quite close in 2017. To him nothing had gone wrong in his tactics on Saturday.

Best Stars FA Limbe

The second encounter at the Molyko Omnisport Stadium pitting Saint Peters to Eyonde was a sham, a festival of goals as 10-man St. Peters dismantled the Mbonge side by 5 goals to zero. Captain Beckly Gwe, Ntepe Kouty Abdoulaye, Samuel Ringbe, and Justin Ngako all got on the sheet, with one of the goals converted from the penalty spot.

Coach Akachukwu Prosper, Eyonde

Eyonde got drowned by internal crisis as testified by Coach Akachukwu Prosper. The 29-year-old said,

“We needed more time for preparation. We passed through a lot challenges. I took over just two weeks ago. I did not play friendlies ahead of this game, knew little of my opponents after watching them on TV just for 7 minutes in the Cameroon Cup.”

“In fact I was assessing my players here. To continue with Eyonde we have to sit because all is not well,” the former, National Polytechnic, Panthere of Bangante and Enugu Rangers trainer lamented. He has also coached in Spain and France.

Coach Nini Ayissi Lucas’ St. Peters have now recorded 12 wins, 3 draws and 1 defeat in 16 games. Coach Nini said hard work had paid off. He added that they have the obligation to win.

Match Officials for Best Stars-Maumu. (Referee: David Mahop, second from right)

The referee of the first match Arnold Mahop David sent off Best Star’s Mathieu Mvondo for continuous rough tackles and their team Doctor for unacceptable behaviour on the touch line. The referee of the second match Pondie Pondie Ronil also redcarded Monkam Eric of St. Peters for unwanted action.