National Interpools: Anglophone clubs make history.

The two clubs from the North West and South West Regions, yesterday defeated their opponents in the semi-finals of this year’s National Interpools tournament in Yaounde.

By brilliantly winning their matches, both clubs picked up the only two available tickets to Elite Two Championship, next football season. Never in the history of the Interpools tournament have two Anglophone clubs gained promotion in the same season.

ISOHSA of Limbe were the first team to seal their qualification ticket after defeating Pouma FC from the Littoral Region by 2-0.

Albert Tiku Egbe, scored both goals for ISOHSA, during the first 45 minutes of the match played at the Annexe A of the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde. His goals handed the South Wes Region club the much-needed Elite Two ticket.

ISOHSA reached the final of this year’s National Interpools undefeated, after two draws and three wins in five matches.

Drawn in Pool A of the 10-club tournament, the club of President Karl Mokake, picked up two points in their first two matches, pulling draws against Union Sportive of Abong Mbang and Volcan of Noun.

They ignited their winning machine on match day three, defeating Sporting of Maroua 5-0. They went on to beat Academie Nyom II, from the Centre Region 3-2 in the final group fixture to top the pool with 8 points.

Their win over Pouma FC yesterday entails they are the second club from the South West Region, after Victoria United, to qualify for elite football in two successive seasons.

Bafmeng United’s hard-fought win

Bafmeng United’s qualification was hard fought, after their semi-final clash against Volcan of Noun from the West Region, went into extra time.

In an emotion-packed fixture, played at the Military Stadium in Ngoa-Ekelle, both teams failed to find the back of the net after 90 minutes.

The winner of the tie had to be decided during extra time. Ngong Livinus sent supporters of Bafmeng United jubilating on 91 minutes, when he headed in the opening goal of the encounter.

The North West Regional champions held on to the 1-0 lead at the end of the first 15 minutes of extra time.

Volcan of Noun looked to draw level during the last 15 minutes but it was instead Bafmeng United that aggravated the score.

Enah Ashu delivered from a Genesis Shu’s-pass, to double the lead for the Menchum Division oufit.

The West Region club succeeded to pull back one, with six minutes left to play, but the boys of Coach Soh Simplis, held on to the 2-1 lead and secured qualification for Elite Two, at the end of the game.

Just like ISOHSA, Bafmeng United topped their pool with 9 points after three wins and a defeat in the group stage.

Their qualification now takes the number of elite clubs in the North West Region to five. Bafmeng United will next season compete in Elite Two alongside Foncha Street FC and Rangers FC of Bafut while PWD Social Club of Bamenda and Yong Sports Academy, YOSA will play in Elite One.

The two Anglophone clubs are now set to meet in the final of the Interpools tournament on Sunday July 30.

How PM Dion Ngute powered ISOHSA, Bafmeng United to victory

The success of the two Anglophone clubs in the competition was made possible, thanks to massive mobilisation of members of the Anglophone community, particularly the elite.

Among the personalities who gave a financial and moral boost to the teams, is the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute.

Prior the semi-final matches yesterday, Dion Ngute, had on Tuesday July 25, sent a message of encouragement and financial support of 3 million FCFA to ISOHSA.

The Director of Cabinet at the Prime Minister’s Office, Balungeli Ebune Confiance, visited the team at its camping ground and handed the 3 million FCFA envelope to the club.

The Head of Government had also promised a support of 3 million FCFA support to Bafmeng United in case they qualify for Elite Two Championship. 

Sports analysts say the PM’s indiscriminate moral and financial support to the two Anglophone teams at this year’s National Interpools, greatly calvanised the boys and motivated them to win their crucial semifinal matches that gave them direct qualification to Elite Two Championship.

Dion Ngute’s support is said to have also spurred elite of the two English Anglophone Regions to chip in more financial support to the two clubs.