Oudou Kpoumie of FC Ebolowa believes it’s time for a Cameroonian club to finally win the Women’s CAF Champions League playoffs in the UNIFFAC zone and earn the respect it deserves from its well organized domestic championship.
He is coming to the competition for the second time as a coaching career and so have an idea of the process of
Women’s football in Central Africa has made significant strides, and opportunities are highly coveted. FC Ebolowa’s coach, Oudou Kpoumie, is determined to make amends four years after a previous attempt at the UNIFFAC Women’s Champions league qualifiers.
Last season, FC Ebolowa won its first title by claiming the Guinness Super League, led by Flora Kameni, top scorer with 26 goals. The club edged out Lekié Filles on goal difference, securing a spot in the 2025 CAF Women’s Champions League qualifying tournament and giving Coach Kpoumie another chance to shine.
Having represented Cameroon with Louves Minproff in 2021, Coach Kpoumie fell short of advancing past Malabo Kings in the semifinals.
He views his return to the competition as a second chance, feeling that fate has brought him back to where it all began. Coach Kpoumie notes, “This is my second time participating in this competition in Malabo. While my first attempt wasn’t successful, we’ve learned valuable lessons. We’re well-prepared and have a good understanding of the competition’s dynamics.”
The Stage is Set
The curtains rise today at 1:00 PM as FC Ebolowa faces M’Sichana at the Estadio de Malabo in the Central African Football Federations’ Union (UNIFFAC) Women’s Champions League qualifiers. Both teams are making their debuts but are confident in their abilities to replace TP Mazembe, who recently won the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League title. Coach Kpoumie opined, “We’re here hoping for positive results, and we’re aware of the strengths and weaknesses of some teams. Perhaps this time we’ll experience more joy; we’ll see from the first game, but we need to win our opening match.”
M’Sichana’s Confidence Boost
M’Sichana, having ended as champions of the Democratic Republic of Congo, exudes confidence that cannot be contained – as they hope to fit straight into the shoes of outgoing champions, TP Mazembe. The team made history by winning the national title in June this year, defeating CSF Bikira of Kinshasa 2-0 in the final. Coach Serah Kitenge of M’Sichana said, “Preparations have been positive on our part because we’ve had enough friendly games which helped us prepare. Mentally, the girls are ready. We came to play and win matches. Our ambition is to represent the region at the upcoming women’s champions League.”
A New Chapter for M’Sichana
M’Sichana’s championship win has given them the momentum and confidence they need to take on the best teams in Africa. Team captain Alphonse Kapinga uttered, “Our team M’Sichana always approaches games with confidence. It is our first appearance. We are ready and we will give the best of ourselves. We are not under pressure. We came well prepared: psychologically, physically, tactically and morally.”
Cameroonian clubs quest to be zonal glory
Cameroon has yet to send a representative to the CAF Women’s Champions League, with near misses by Louves Minproff, back-to-back attempts by AS AWA, and Lekie’s crushing exit. FC Ebolowa aims to change this narrative and make a mark in the competition. Coach Kpoumie emphasized, “As a country, we’ve learned and made progress. We appreciate the support of the South region’s population, which helped us become champions in our local league. Now, we have an opportunity to make history for our region and contribute to the country’s football legacy.”
Coach Kpoumie and his team are determined to make a strong impression but like his words suggest, it must be taken one game after the other. On the sidelines of Tuesday’s press conference was Beulou Ornella, player and captain of FC Ebolowa, who was there through all the glory in the local championship. She noted, “There’s a significant difference between the local championship and the Champions League qualifiers. The level of competition is much higher, but we’re prepared for the challenge.”
The Road to Success
The journey to success will not be easy as 5 teams from the region battle, but both FC Ebolowa and M’Sichana are ready to put in the effort and determination required to succeed. With their sights set on the top, they will give it their all to make their mark in the competition. Kpoumie claimed: “Our local championship is one of the best in the region, and we’ll ensure that we entertain the spectators and achieve our objectives.”
The growth of Women’s football in the region and on the continent has been immense. Something Beulou Ornella credits the CAF for, “I’d like to thank CAF for initiating this opportunity to promote women’s football in Africa. It’s a privilege for us to participate and attempt to qualify for the Champions League finals.”
As the clock ticks down to tomorrow’s showdown, the anticipation is palpable. Both teams driven by a burning desire aim to succeed in the UNIFFAC Women’s Champions League qualifiers. With FC Ebolowa seeking to break cameroon’s “jinx”and M’Sichana riding high on their recent national title triumph, the stage is set for an intense battle. Every pass, every shot, and every tackle will count as both teams strive to outdo each other and claim a crucial first victory. The outcome of this match will not only determine the teams’ immediate fortunes but also set the tone for their entire campaign, making it a must-win encounter for both sides.
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