By ELIAS MAKORI
Celebrated club Unisport Bafang looks to bounce back this weekend after a disappointing loss in the opening round of the MTN Elite One, Cameroon’s top-tier league that was launched last weekend – after a seven-month break – by Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) President Samuel Eto’o.
Unisport Bafang face Panthers FC on Match Day Three on Sunday (February 1) seeking to launch their campaign after a disappointing 0-2 home loss in the opening match to Aigle Royal at the Bafang Municipal Stadium in Bafang, Western Cameroon, last weekend at the league’s opening ceremony match watched by Eto’o accompanied by, among others, Fred Siewe, Director of sportwear firm FOURTEEN, apparel sponsors of Cameroon’s national football team, “The Indomitable Lions.”
Eto’o, a former “Indomitable Lions”, FC Barcelona, Inter Milan and Chelsea player, launched the ceremonial kick-off in front of a supportive Cameroonian crowd.
With the ball at his feet, Cameroon’s all-time top scorer performed some superb moves on the pitch at Bafang Municipal Stadium. These moves showed that the former Cameroonian striker still has the same fire in his legs as when he played for Barça, Inter Milan and Chelsea.
Martin Ze Mengatta, the 23-year-old referee promoted to Fifa referee status a few weeks ago and crowned best Cameroonian referee in 2024, was in charge of the opening match assisted by Dimitri Pande and Olinga Fandjieng, as Aigle Royal pulled off the great result against Unisport.
The visitors secured a valuable victory at Unisport’s home ground after a goalless first half when, in the 75th minute, Eden Ymele, put Aigle Royal ahead before doubling the lead in the 93rd minute for the “Elpachas.”
It was a great start for newly promoted Aigle Royal in Cameroon’s Elite One with Siewe, Director for Growth Market and Africa Relations at FOURTEEN, also Vice-President of Unisport Bafang and main force behind the club, announcing that FOURTEEN will be supporting the referees’ programme in the league.
“I have worked on many projects with Eto’o globally for over 10 years, including big events with Heads of States and that’s why Eto’o was happy for me to be involved in the opening ceremony for the league in Cameroon and provide the expertise required,” Siewe told Pura Vida Sports. “We (Fourteen) support the Cameroon national football team but we are also providing jerseys for the referees in the league.”
Switzerland-based sportswear brand FOURTEEN took over as official kit supplier for the Cameroon national football teams in February last year, signing a three-year deal and replacing “One All Sports”.
FOURTEEN will supply kits for all national categories, Elite One/Two clubs, and referees, and have also undertaken to facilitate a 30,000-seater stadium and buses for FECAFOOT.
The sportwear brand is also looking at investing in East Africa with Siewe holding talks with Football Kenya Federation President Hussein Mohammed on the sidelines of the recent Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Rabat, Morocco.
Colombe Sportive are the Cameroon league’s defending champion (2024–25), while Coton Sport remains the most successful club in league’s history with 18 titles.
In the two opening fixtures, defending champions Colombe Sportive drew 0-0 with Cotonsport last weekend before falling 1-2 to Gazelle midweek playing away in Garoua while after holding Colombe, Cotonsport were again goalless against Aigle Moungo.
In other news from the league, 23-year-old striker Maxime Bassogog, brother of Cameroonian international Christian Bassogog, has signed a one-season contract with Panthère Sportive du Ndé FC.
Maxime has experience in Cameroon’s top flight, having previously played for Union Douala and will strengthen Panthere’s attack, one week after the start of the 2025-26 Elite One season.
The 23-year-old has also gained experience outside Africa having played for MFK Vyškov in the Czech Republic after leaving Union Douala in 2022.
In its new format, the Cameroon top flight features 14 clubs with reigning champions, Colombe Sportive, seeking to retain the title.
Clubs likely to take the crown from Colombe Sportive include Coton Sport is a serious contender, the most successful club in Cameroon alongside La Gazelle FA, who finished on the podium last season.
La Panthère Sportive, runner-up to Colombe Sportive at the end of the last season, are also capable of shaking up the hierarchy, especially with Maxime’s arrival, while the champion of the 2023-24 season, Victoria United, can play the spoiler. (Additional reporting by Dailysports)
Elias Makori, the founder and Managing Editor of Pura Vida Sports Africa, is a veteran sports journalist with over 30 years’ experience. Makori is a holder of a Masters in Sports Management degree from Barcelona’s Cruyff Institute and is also the 2012 World Athletics Journalist of the Year, three-time Kenya Sports Journalist of the Year and twice Africa Sports Media Personality of the Year.
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