William Ekanga Lobe gave the National team coach Rigobert Song something to think about when Bamboutos de Mbouda faced Canon Sportif de Yaounde in a packed Douala Omnisport Stadium on Sunday.
MTN ELITE ONE PLAYOFFS: WILLIAM EKANGA Shines as Bamboutos Outplay Canon
It was a game of two halves, with both teams looking to make a statement of intent in the second playoff game of the day after defending Champions Coton edged newcomers Gazelle of Garoua 1-0 in the opening playoffs game, but it was Bamboutos de Mbouda who came flying out of the blocks and led 2-0 after just 20minutes.
The Mangwa Boys, pushed on by a hugely partisan crowd, tested Jourdain Mbaiynaissem three times in the opening minutes, and it was only a matter of time before the boys from the West broke the deadlock. Ali Lamine Adang took advantage of some Slack defending to fire past the Canon goalkeeper ten minutes in.
Bamboutos kept asking the questions as the Junior Njoufack-Koupit-Ali Lamine trio continued pulling the strings in midfield.
Man of the match, William Ekanga, had been toiling with the Canon defense and pulled out a strike from the top draw to make it 2-0 on the 20 minutes mark.
Alex Diboto received a flat pass after a penetrating run from Ali Adang before playing a fantastic crossfield ball in the direction of the unmarked Ekanga, who hit a first-time volley into the Canon net for two nil. The crowd greeted the goal with a standing ovation, including Cameroon football legends Albert Roger Milla, Fecafoot President Samuel Eto'o, and National Team manager Rigobert Song.
Bamboutos slowed the game's pace well, and even Elite One top scorer, Emmanuel Mahop, couldn't get into the game early on. The Second half was the direct opposite of the first, with Canon dominating large parts of proceedings and coming close on several occasions through Junior Stephane and Alexandre Essomba.
The introduction of Ngong Neville gave some fresh impetus to the Canonites, and Canon made better use of Mahop's aerial prowess. The pressure paid off in the 83rd minute with Paul Tchikeu's well-taken header beating Bamboutos's keeper at his near post.
Canon was poised for an unlikely comeback, but Bamboutos of Mbouda showed more control and saw out a very professional win. The victory sets them up for a mouth-watering clash with Coton Sports on Thursday, while Canon faces Gazelle in the early game.
See Also: CHAN 2024: Coach Alioum Names 26-Man Squad for 2024 CHAN.