Big names need go beyond national threshold. As football think-tanks ponder on the start of the premiership come February 8, old timers who have impressed book-makers over the years strengthen game plans to consolidate and foster glory and fame. No season is the same especially for the top contenders who have had one or more titles to defend.
Canon, Tonnerre, Coton Sport, Sable, Fovu and of course, Mount Cameroon can rob shoulders as top clubs that have once clung to a national title, paving their ways for different continental hurdles. In this category of pace setters, the challenge is more exuberant given that little fancied clubs will be seeking to unseat them. The element of surprise can beat even the big names. Enough reason to take precaution. Within the prime movers of the elite championship, there are continental flagships. Canon, the club that has often borne our trademark in African football will need to shake-off their mere representation locus. As reigning champions and our flag-bearers in the African Champions League, the season is one of double fronts for the Yaounde club. Coton Sport, has a similar challenge. They will need to play convincingly at home ahead of their hurdles of this year’s CAF Cup competition. The pace they will set at home will send signals to continental adversaries and determine how far they will go. Mount Cameroon will have their continental baptism in the African Cup Winners Cup category. Having listened to the alarm bell rung by the Prime Minister when they lifted Cameroon Cup on 14th December, 2002, the highly inspired squad will need to bring honour for their fatherland. That is their assignment. The no pushovers, Tonnerre, Sable and Fovu will be daring to recreate their glorious past. This driving force of yesteryear’s greatness is likely to enrich the profiles of the big names.
Joe TIEMUNCHO
