Che Malone set for emotional Douala return as USM Alger face Panthers

By Angu Lesley

Football Writer,kick442.com-Cameroon

Che Malone Fondoh is heading back to Douala — the city where his senior football journey began — but this time the Cameroon international will return with USM Alger for a CAF Confederation Cup showdown against Equatorial Guinea’s The Panthers at the Japoma Sports Complex on October 18.

The Panthers booked their place in the second preliminary round in dramatic fashion, overturning a 3-1 first-leg defeat to ASPAC FC of Benin with a remarkable 4-2 victory in the return leg. Their comeback earned them a meeting with USM Alger, setting up an intriguing continental encounter in Douala.

For Malone, the fixture will have an added emotional dimension. Douala was an important chapter in the defender’s early career before he went on to enjoy some of his best days in Cameroon with Coton Sport. The centre-back developed into an important figure at the Garoua giants, winning domestic silverware and gaining valuable experience in African club competitions before his career took him abroad.

Those years helped transform Malone from a promising young defender into an established senior international. He has since represented Cameroon at the highest level and was part of the Indomitable Lions squad at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where he featured in the tournament. His international career has continued to grow, with Malone now firmly established as a full Cameroon international.

Che Malone representing Cameroon during AFCON 2025

Malone was also called up for Cameroon’s latest FIFA window, which included the AFCON 2027 qualifiers against Comoros and Congo and the friendly against Côte d’Ivoire. However, he did not feature in any of the three matches as David Pagou rotated his squad. Cameroon beat Comoros 3-1, drew 1-1 with Congo and then defeated Côte d’Ivoire 1-0 in Abidjan.

Now the 27-year-old returns to Douala with a different status and a much bigger continental reputation. From making his Elite One debut in the city to enjoying major moments with Coton Sport, representing Cameroon and lifting continental silverware with USM Alger, Malone’s journey has taken him a long way. On October 18, Japoma will offer him another opportunity to reconnect with a city that played a major role in shaping his football career.