By Oni Ladonette Ondesa
Journalist kick442.com – Cameroon
Gone but not forgotten, Jenny Nguegom, the messiah of Unisport’s ascension to Elite One, remains the central figure in Bafang months after his demise.
In the heart of the city this Saturday, the “Gaffer’s” presence was inescapable. A large portrait of Nguegom keeps watch at the entrance of the club’s headquarters, while a billboard stands directly in front of the Bafang Municipal Stadium, a permanent tribute to the man who masterminded the team’s return to the top flight.
In a display of loyalty, some fans turned out for the season opener clad in the same commemorative shirts worn during his funeral, transforming the stands into a sea of remembrance.
Nguegom famously qualified the “Flambeau de l’Ouest” against all odds, battling a prolonged illness to secure promotion, only to be snatched away by death before he could lead them out for an Elite One fixture at home.
On the pitch, however, the homecoming lacked a fairytale ending. Unisport fell 2-0 to Aigle Royal de la Menoua in a cagey derby opener.
Now under the technical direction of Laurent Djam, the side is adjusting to the demands of the top tier.
Despite the opening day setback, the club remains optimistic that under the current league format, they have the tactical depth to maintain their status in the championship and honor Nguegom’s final legacy.
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