By Boris Esono
Sportswriter Kick442.com-Cameroon
Kumba City FC recorded their second successive win of the MTN Elite 2 championship after edging Racing of Bafoussam 1–0 in a tense Matchday Two encounter played on Saturday, February 7, at the GPS School Field in Kumba.
The South West outfit went into the fixture buoyed by their opening-day 1–0 victory over Bafmeng United, while Racing of Bafoussam were in search of their first win of the season following a goalless draw against FC Yaounde II on Matchday One.
Both teams showed early intent, pressing high and looking to impose themselves from the onset. Kumba City fashioned the first real opportunity of the match in the third minute when Kelly Sawai found space on the edge of the box but fired his effort wide of the target.
The opening exchanges remained cautious, with clear-cut chances few and far between as both sides sought to settle into rhythm. The contest, however, sprang to life midway through the first half. In the 32nd minute, Racing of Bafoussam came close to taking the lead when Alexis Arnaud delivered a well-measured cross into the area, but Yann Daryl’s header narrowly missed the Kumba City goal.
Kumba City responded almost immediately through Cyril Obase, who failed to capitalise on a promising opening. Obase was again presented with another chance two minutes later, but his effort sailed wide, much to the disappointment of the home supporters.
As the first half drew to a close, Kumba City continued to push forward. In added time, Wirikom Michael came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock, only to see his effort drift inches wide of the post. Despite the flurry of chances, both sides went into the halftime break locked at 0–0.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with both teams battling for midfield control and probing cautiously in attack. Defensive discipline and wayward finishing, however, ensured that neither side could find a decisive breakthrough during regulation time.
The defining moment of the match arrived deep into stoppage time when Kumba City was awarded a penalty after Clinton Ofon was adjudged to have been fouled inside the box. The decision ignited strong protests from the Racing of Bafoussam players and the technical bench, but the referee maintained his call.
Substitute Enow Nkar kept his composure from the spot, converting confidently in the 90+6 minute to hand Kumba City FC all three points. The penalty proved to be the final kick of the game, sealing a dramatic victory for the hosts.
With the win, Kumba City FC maintain a perfect start to their Elite 2 campaign, while Racing of Bafoussam is left to rue missed opportunities as they continue their search for a first victory of the season.
Post-match reactions:
Mbaboh Moses, coach of Kumba City FC, said: I feel very, very happy. If I tell you that I’m disappointed, it is a lie. I’m very, very happy because it’s not easy to play two home games with two victories.
Playing against Racing wasn’t an easy game for me. So at the end of the day, coming out with three points is a great day for my boys. From the first day of play, some of you were here in the field. You saw our defensive game, and today we have ameliorated our offence, especially in the midfield. Before our game with FC Yaounde II, I think I will be done with the attack line. So I promise a victory in Yaounde.
For a coach to build a team, I think we begin with defence and then attack. So if I don’t concede a goal, meaning my work is at least 80 per cent done from behind to up front.
Enow Nkar, the goalscorer for Kumba City FC, said: I’m very satisfied because as a team coming to this game, our first objective was to get the three points. No matter the goals we scored, it’s just to get the three points.
I want to say a very big thank you first to our technical staff, because we’ve been working on our system for more than a month now. So we are trying to still put things in place. The last game was much better than this one. But as the tournament goes on, we promise our fans that we are going to put in more and play an even better game.
What next?
After playing two consecutive home matches, Kumba City FC will now hit the road to face FC Yaounde II in Yaounde on February 14. Racing of Bafoussam, meanwhile, will return home where they will host Bafmeng United in their next MTN Elite 2 fixture.
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