31 clubs engaged in a marathon to become South West Champions, but that number has so far been reduced to eight – as the mini inter pool is on the horizon.
The lights of Best Stars, Aljazeera, Victoria United, ISOSHA, Catholic University SA, Options Sports, Kumba City FC and Kumba Lakers will be the teams enrolled in this season’s South West Mini inter pools.
The big absentees are Tiko United, Cinyodev FA, Nkamanyi FI, Njalla Quan SA, and last year’s finalist LIFCA.
This writer now zooms into what the big eight has to offer to the football family of the region – as the quest for the elite two continues.
Best Stars Academy of Limbe
Best stars Academy
Known as one of the best football Academies in the country, the defending champions will be in the quest for a fourth crown in their history. After failing to secure an elite ticket last season, they will be out this time to correct their mistakes. They topped their pool with 32 points, recording 10 wins, two draws and two defeats.
Aljazeera SA
Aljazeera SA
Newly promoted side, Aljazeera SA – a surprise package in Pool A beat the lights of NQSA, Tiko United, and Continental FA to tiptoe into the mini inter pool for the first time on their debut campaign. Last season’s Fako league runner-up finished second in Pool A with nine wins, two draws and three defeats.
Victoria United
Being one of the favourites to be champions, Victoria United are in their first mini-inter qualification for the first time since 2018 – and will be hoping to stamp their mark as the most ambitious club amongst the big eight. Despite the club’s internal crisis, they still finished top of Pool B with 29 points, recording eight wins, five draws and one defeat. This will be their third mini-inter-pool appearance in six years.
Isle Of Hope Sports Academy (ISOSHA)
The limbe base side – ISOSHA is one of the surprise packages of the season as it took them on till the last day to record their first defeat. A team that recorded just six points for all of last season – finished second in their group with 29 points, recording eight wins, five draws and one defeat. This will be their first-ever mini-inter pool appearance.
Options Sports Academy
Ever since Options Sports Academy of Limbe gained promotion to regional league football in 2019, they have been knocking at the doors of the playoffs in the South West Region. The doors were finally open as they get a maiden appearance in the playoffs. Their brilliant nine-game-winning streak ensured they top Pool C with 34 points, recording 11 wins, one draw and two defeats – with a goal difference of +35 goals.
Catholic University Sports Academy
The Saints and Scholars as they are called, CUSA have enjoyed one of their best seasons in regional league football since 2016. Their qualification and a brilliant winning streaks in the league were eye-catching as they finished runner-up in their group with 34 points, recording 11 wins, 1 draw and two defeats. The last time CUSA was involved in the playoffs, te they played the final.
Kumba City FC
Another newly-promoted side – Kumba City FC was the surprise of Pool D. They stamped their presence in the region’s top-flight with a brilliant win over Best Stars in the final of the New Dawn pre-season tournament. They outclassed the lights of Future Dreams and Nkamanyi FI to top Pool D with 21 points, recording six wins, three draws and one defeat.
Kumba Lakers
One of the oldest clubs in the region, Kumba Lakers booked their place in the playoffs for the first time in over a decade. The Kumba base side finished second with 15 points, recording four wins, three draws and three defeats.
It should be noted that the playoffs will only begin after the Cup of Cameroon preliminary rounds.
The stage is set for the 2021/22 mini inter pool and the games can now begin.
