The Elite One playoffs were a rollercoaster ride for Cameroonian football. Fans packed stadiums in Douala, witnessing a fiercely contested battle for the championship that went down to the wire.
A League of its Own:
This season’s playoffs were the most competitive ever. With 28 matches and 49 goals, the top three teams were separated by a mere three points. Victoria United emerged victorious with 13 points, followed closely by Coton Sport and Stade Renard, both at 10 points.
United Triumph: Tops on and Off the Pitch
Victoria United dominated the headlines, not just for their on-field success, but also for their rapid rise. Initially doubted by some, the Limbe side silenced critics with a brand of exciting, attacking football. Young guns Nathan Douala and Enow were breakout stars, while Nji Richmond topped the scoring charts with 17 goals.
Stade Renard’s Remarkable Rise:
Another success story was Stade Renard. Under manager David Pagou, they transformed from relegation battlers to championship contenders in just a year.
Flops from the Top:
Disappointment came from the usual suspects: Canon Yaoundé and Dynamo Douala. Canon, after a dominant regular season, failed to win a single playoff game. Dynamo, missing key players like Ateba, saw their form dip considerably as the season progressed.
Coton’s Underwhelming Performance:
Despite finishing runners-up, Coton Sport disappointed with their uninspiring play. They managed only two wins in the playoffs.
YOSA’s Rise and Fall:
YOSA emerged as a surprise contender, leading the race early on before being derailed by post-match incidents involving Canon Yaoundé.
Questionable Officiating:
Poor officiating marred the playoffs, with accusations of bias towards certain teams.
Opopo’s Long Journey to Glory:
Victoria United’s journey is even more remarkable considering their path. They took 47 games, across two seasons, to rise from the National Interpools to champions of both Elite Two and Elite One.
The Road Ahead:
All eyes now turn to Victoria United, Cameroon’s representatives in the CAF Champions League. They face a tough challenge to navigate the preliminaries and reach the group stage, crucial for boosting Cameroon’s CAF ranking.
