By Kate Gaduna
Football Writer,kick442.com-Cameroon
Garoua, Cameroon — The MTN Elite One championship returned after more than five months of hiatus, but it was Canon Sportif de Yaoundé who made the biggest statement on the opening weekend, stunning Coton Sport 2-1 in Garoua.
David Pagou’s Coton Sport looked on course for a winning start when Boris Kache converted a 52nd-minute penalty. But the hosts failed to build on their advantage and were eventually punished by a Canon side that grew stronger as the match progressed.
With Akono Mendo leading the Canon attack, the visitors remained a threat throughout. Mendo had already shown his goalscoring touch during pre-season, scoring Canon’s lone goal in their 4-1 defeat to APEJES Mfou earlier this month.
Canon’s persistence eventually paid off through Neuhane Ayukmba, who equalised in the 82nd minute after benefiting from a costly goalkeeping mistake. The comeback was completed dramatically in the fourth minute of added time when Ayukmba struck again to give Coach Fiala Fiala’s rejuvenated side a 2-1 victory.
The result is a major early statement from a Canon side that has undergone a significant rejuvenation, with the club putting greater emphasis on young players and fresh recruitment ahead of the new campaign. The Kpa-Kum had travelled to Garoua determined to announce their ambitions, and they delivered against one of Cameroon’s biggest clubs.
For Coton Sport, however, it was a disappointing beginning to a season in which the Garoua giants are expected to challenge again. Pagou’s men will have to quickly regroup, having surrendered a home advantage after taking the lead.
For Canon, the message is clear: the Kpa-Kum are back, Akono Mendo is leading the line, and Fiala Fiala’s rejuvenated side has already shown it can hurt the big boys.
Coton Sport 1-2 Canon Sportif
⚽ 52’ Boris Kache
⚽ 82’ Neuhane Ayukmba
⚽ 90+4’ Neuhane Ayukmba
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