By Bless Zoshe
Buea, Cameroon
The two Southwest representatives at the elite football championships recorded diverse results during their respective outings this past weekend.
Playing their first game in the Elite Two championship, Tiko United alias Samba Boys lost 0 -1 to local side Botafogo FC, at the Douala Re-Unification Stadium.
The lone goal of the encounter was scored by Moukoko Moussombo at the 21st minute, following a goalkeeping slip-up. Both teams created a few more opportunities, but failed to concretize.
Henry Njalla Quan Jr, will he fit into Daddy's shoes
Tiko United had a slight advantage 23 minutes into the second segment when Awono Junior saw red, but both teams ended one man down, as Berkombo Bertrand received two successive yellow cards; first for a foul, then for allegedly spitting on a Botafogo player. At full time it was 1 for Botafogo FC, and nothing for Tiko United.
Commenting on the result, the Divisional Officer for Tiko and Honorary president of the club, Ungitoh Zachary, said he remained confident that the team will pick up steam in their next game, at the Tiko Town Green Stadium.
“If you imagine that this is a very young squad; players have been gathered from all over the Republic; and being trained by a new coach, I think in the next outing, Tiko United is going to impress all and sundry. For their next match, I would like that the population come out and support their team, given that they will be playing at home. I am very optimistic, and I believe that at the end of this season, Tiko United is going to bounce back into the Elite I league”. Ungitoh remarked.
NQSA Sarting line up
Sharing the same view, the caretaker president Richard Tita Fombon added that it was a game, and Fair play remains the golden rule. “For a first game the boys are playing as a team, out of Tiko, I don’t think the population should be disappointed. We practice fair play. I know we don’t play to lose, but if it comes, we’ll take it. For their next game in Tiko, I think the population should simply come out and cheer their boys. It will encourage them, it will give them the spirit, and the confidence to do better”.
Unlike Tiko United, the Njalla Quan Sport Academy, NQSA Limbe came from behind to pull a satisfactory 2-2 draw at home against newly promoted Douala Athletic Club, DAC 2000, at the Limbe Centenary Stadium, Sunday, February 10.
The Limbe side was 2-nil down 22 minutes into the encounter, thanks to two quick goals by Ekanga Awong Nelson at the 17th minute, and Njoh Edimo Richard at the 22nd minute.
However, luck smiled on NQSA, when in an attempt to clear his vital area, DAC 2000 defender Baliang Francis’ header from an over head cross, lobbed his keeper. After mounting considerable pressure, NQSA got the equalizer through Yanki Joseph, less than 10 minutes to the final whistle.
At the end of the encounter, it was a particularly satisfactory result for the team’s president, Henry Njalla Quan Jr. “At least we didn’t lose our first game at home. We came from 2-0 down, so I am largely satisfied. We will continue to work hard until the victories come, which we as a club and the people of Limbe, will dedicate to the memory of my late father.”
Njalla Quan Sport Academy plays their next game away, against Canon of Yaounde, while Elite II side, Tiko United welcomes Aperjes of Mfou this weekend.
