Elite One Chronicle: Elite One Returns with Drama, Controversy, and Heavy Legs

Cameroon’s Elite One Championship returned to stadiums across the country after nearly seven months away, and if the football was a touch sluggish, the drama certainly wasn’t.

Fourteen goals across seven matches told its own story. Players are clearly still shaking off the dust and rust from a lengthy break, their legs heavy, their touch not quite there yet. Give it four or five match days, and we’ll see the tempo pick up. For now, though, Match day one was football finding its feet again.

The season opener at Ngandji Gaston Stadium in Bafang set the tone. Unisport of Haut Nkam fell 0-2 to Aigle Royal of la Menoua, with in substitute Ymele coming off the bench to bag both goals. A strong start for Aigle, who look like they mean business this campaign after a short stay in the Elite Two championship.

Elsewhere, the West Mungo derby delivered its usual helping of controversy. Victoria United dispatched PWD Bamenda 3-0, all three goals from the penalty spot. Referee Ehanga Claude showed little sympathy for the Abakwa boys, brandishing five yellow cards and one red. Two of PWD’s efforts were chalked off, and to cap a miserable afternoon, goalkeeper Ning Che reportedly had his towel nicked during the chaos. A souvenir of the just-ended AFCON.

In Douala, Dynamo staged a comeback to beat AS Fortuna 4-2, in a bizarre atmosphere after going behind. Four different scorers for Dynamo made it a proper team effort. Up in Garoua, Gazelle nicked a 1-0 win over Aigle Royal of Moungo, while the heavyweight clash between Coton Sport and Colombe of Dja and Lobo ended goalless. A repeat of last year’s opener, it saw David Pagou’s Coton and Richard Towa’s Colombe cancel each other out in a cagey affair.

Panthère of Ndé had little trouble seeing off Fauve Azur Elite, a Yaoundé-based outfit cynically dubbed “small Panthère” by those who know why. Fauve Azur have also courted trouble by refusing to wear MTN-branded jerseys, leaving themselves exposed to potential sanctions from the federation.

At the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, Canon of Yaoundé kicked off their season with a 0-0 draw against Stade Renard of Melong. It was a match where experience shone through—veteran skippers Zoua of Canon and Legrand Nkuissi of Stade Renard were the pick of the bunch. Canon’s Franck Assiga will be kicking himself, though. He squandered two clear one-on-ones in the dying moments, chances that should have won the game.

After the opening round, the “mbros” sit atop the table, with Dynamo and Victoria United joining them on three points. PWD Bamenda, meanwhile, find themselves at the bottom and in the relegation zone—albeit temporarily.

In the race for the golden boot, Eden Ymela of Aigle Royal, Alex Diboto of Victoria United (both penalties), and Joseph Tiba of Panthère du Ndé share the top spot with two goals apiece. Dynamo’s four different scorers was the standout team performance, while AS Fortuna and Victoria United each had two players on the scoresheet.

The sun is still rising, but the championship is back. And for all the heavy legs and rustiness, there’s enough controversy, drama, and talking points to remind us why we missed it.

Welcome back!

Lawrence NKEDE