By Angu Lesley
Football Writer,kick442.com-Cameroon
Cotonsport of Garoua boosted their hopes of reclaiming the Cameroon Elite One title after securing an important 2-1 victory over Panthère du Ndé on Match Day 21 at the Roumde Adjia Annex Stadium in Garoua.
The latest victory under head coach David Pagou sees the 18-time Cameroonian champions climb back into serious contention for the league crown with only six matches left to play this season.
Cotonsport opened the scoring in the 27th minute through Jean François Manguele, who continued his fine campaign by netting his fifth goal of the season for the Garoua-based club.
The hosts maintained control for most of the encounter before Carlos Yougouga doubled the advantage in the 77th minute, putting Pagou’s side firmly on course for all three points.
Panthère du Ndé managed to pull one back deep into stoppage time through Cyprien Joel Saha in the 90+4 minute, but the late goal was not enough to prevent Cotonsport from sealing another crucial victory.
The result significantly reshapes the title race as Cotonsport move up to second place on the Elite One standings with 38 points. Although they remain five points behind league leaders Unisport of Bafang, Pagou’s men have now positioned themselves within striking distance ahead of a decisive final stretch of the campaign.
Current standings among the leading contenders now read:
1. Unisport Bafang – 43 points
2. Cotonsport Garoua – 38 points
3. Colombe du Dja – 37 points
4. Dynamo Douala – 37 points
However, the title race remains wide open as Unisport, Colombe and Dynamo all still have a game in hand over Cotonsport.
The remaining fixtures could prove decisive, especially with several direct confrontations still to come. Unisport are scheduled to travel to Garoua to face Cotonsport before taking on Colombe in Yaoundé. Their final league game of the season will also be against Dynamo in Bafang.
For David Pagou, the victory represents another important step in Cotonsport’s resurgence this season as the experienced tactician continues to guide the northern giants back toward domestic prominence.
With momentum building and crucial head-to-head clashes approaching, Cotonsport have firmly re-entered the race for the Elite One crown.
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