What a way to kick off the Playoffs! Two great games, an endearing crowd, and great football to match the enthusiasm. This was the story of Day One of the MTN ELITE ONE championship playoffs.
The hype around this year's playoffs had reached a fever pitch, and my did it deliver.
MTN ELITE ONE PLAYOFFS: MATCHDAY ONE REPORT
Excess of 27 000 lovers of football gathered in the stands of the renovated Douala Omnisport stadium, among them the President of Cameroon's football Federation, Samuel Eto'o Fils, and National team manager Rigobert Song.
Gazelle of Garoua 0-1 Coton Sports of Garoua
An intense game in the scorching heat of Cameroon's economic Capital kicked off at exactly 3:30pm, with Gazelle showing more ambition in the opening exchanges. But Coton Sports came closest to opening the scores when Patience Wassou's 35th-minute effort was saved by the excellent Mbahbi Marcelin.
The first half had a subdued feel but almost came to life when a gazelle winger whipped in a low cross begging for a touch from the attack line. A combination of Captain Che Malone and goalkeeper Allambatnan Gadin helped Coton weather a late first-half rally from Gazelle to ensure the game went to halftime scoreless.
The Second half coincided with a significant temperature drop, and the game opened up even more with attacks and counterattacks from both sides. But Gazelle afforded too much respect to their more illustrious City rivals and were made to pay in the 82nd minute.
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| Che Malone with the man of the match trophy for playoff games Coton Sports Garoua vs. Gazelle of Garoua |
Limane Moussa took advantage of some unsure defending in the Gazelle penalty area to slot past Mbahbi Marcelin in goal. Every effort from Gazelle to snatch an equalizer proved futile as the defending Champions held on to take home all three points.
Coach Jean Baptiste Bisseck will be hoping the defending champions will put up a better show when they come up against a solid Bamboutos outfit on Thursday.
Tags:
Elite-One