- Astres extended their unbeaten run in the playoffs to three games by beating APEJES 2-1
- Jules Armand Kooh scored his 15th goal of the season in the contest, making him the league’s top scorer
- Astres top the relegation playoffs from the top while APEJES top from the bottom
Bruno Eock and lead scorer Jules Armand Kooh were scorers on Saturday at the Omnisport Annex stadium as Astres beat APEJES of Mfou by 2-1 to pick up their second win in their third outing of the 2023/24 MTN Elite One relegation playoffs tournament.
APEJES of coach Minkreo Birwe were hoping to build on their goalless draw against UMS of Loum last time out though to neutrals even if they knew it was always going to be tough given Astres’ current form.
Midfielder Eock gave Astres the best possible start to the game when he scored the opener for the Brazilians of Bepanda just five minutes into the contest. Coach Gabriel Zabo’s team took advantage of some lackluster defending in the APEJES area to establish the lead.
The early goal gave Astres an advantage to build on and they sat back to absorb the pressure from APEJES that was guilty of squandering gilt-edge opportunities.
It remained 1-0 till the pause though the game deserved to have had more than a goal.
Kooh replicated the early goal scenario upon resumption, scoring two minutes into the half to make it 2-0 and put the game almost out of touch for APEJES. Kooh’s 15th of the season turned out to be crucial.
Teenage midfielder Noh Nafeng Yvan half the deficit in the 58th minute, creating a nail-biting scenario in the final half hour.
Though the 2021 vice champions dug deep to find the equalizer, it wasn’t to be as Astres held on to secure another precious three points and edge closer to safety.
Kooh’s 15th goal of the season puts him back at the top of the scorers chat with the likes of Richmond Nji of Victoria United, Bamboutos’ Kache Boris and Nchindo John Bosco of YOSA bearing down his throat in the golden boot race.
Astres are top of the relegation playoff mini league going into their next game against Bamboutos FC on Wednesday while bottom side APEJES of Mfou have a date with fellow strugglers Avion Academy of Douala.
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