Cameroon League: 9-man Dragon deny UMS vital win

Yong Sports Academy (YOSA), Apejes, Stade Renard and Coton Sports marked the beginning of phase-two of the MTN Elite 1 championship of Cameroon, not only with impressive victories but clean sheets. The 18 clubs taking part in the league regained the turf following a 2-week recess. 

YOSA pic (unknown source)

Leaders Coton consolidated their position with a 2-0 win over visiting Fovu of Baham. Coton Captain, Daouda Kamilu, took his tally to ten after converting from the penalty spot.

Goals from Frankline, Moukoko and Mukete enabled YOSA pick up all three points away to YAFOOT. The 3-0 triumph was the Bamenda side’s fourth big margin away victory in years. Ndoumbe Bosso’s side have conceded just a minimal five goals in 18 games. 

Anicet Mbarga Foe’s Bamboutos failed to achieve a back-to-back success against Aigle. The Mangwa Boys were pinned down 0-1 by the visitors at the Limbe Omnisport Stadium Annex 1 in Ngueme. It was their only 3rd win of the season, however, a glimmer of hope for Coach Minkreo Birwe’s squad that witnessed administrative reshuffle at the break. 

The Town of Friendship was not also friendly to Union Sportif of Douala. Les Nassara Gamakai were humiliated 3-0 by embattled Stade of Melon. The Melon side had thrashed President Frank Happi’s side 4-1 in the first leg. 

Fleet-footed Nguidjol Bayemi’s two goals helped holders Eding edge Astres 2-1 in Mbankomo. Sixth place Feutcheu left Mbankomo with a painful trauma after falling 1-4 to Apejes of Mfou. Adolph Nkembe Enow’s brace made all the difference for the 2016 Cameroon Cup champions. Meanwhile Magloire Mfutila’s consolatory goal was well taken penalty by in-form Ashu Tambe. 

Unisport missed the chance to go 5th after succumbing 0-1 to AS Fortuna in Bafang, while 9-man Dragon stunningly drew 0-0 with UMS, denying the Loum side an opportunity to close the gap at the top. 

It was absolute drama at the Loum ground as Dragon saw red in both halves. Outfield player, Ndame Ndame, saw red in the first half, before their goalkeeper got sent off in the second segment. Reports indicate that Dragon were without their lead scorer (11) Rostand Mbai.

Official table:

1-Coton 37 pts

2-Ums 33 pts

3-Fovu 32 pts

4- Yosa 31 pts

5- Union   27 pts

6- Feutcheu FC 27 pts

7- Unisport 25 pts

8- AS Fortuna 24 pts

9- New star 24 pts

10- Eding FC 23 pts

11- Bamboutos 22 pts

12- Astres FC   22 pts

13- Apejes   21 pts

14- Stade 21 pts

15- Dragon   20 pts

16- Colombe 15 pts

17- Yafoot 15 pts

18- Aigle   13 pts

According to the Professional League, matchday 19 will be played on Wednesday 16 May, 2018.

Matchday 19. Full fixtures:

 Bamboutos v YOSA

Yafoot v Fovu

AS Fortuna v Feutcheu

Dragon v Unisport

Aigle v UMS

New Stars v Union

Coton v Colombe

Astres v Apejes

Stade Renard v Eding

By Isifu Wirfengla.