The Samba boys received yet another major blow to their title hopes after suffering a 2-1 defeat in the hands of Union Sportive of Douala on Sunday at the Reunification stadium as the MTN Elite one was rolled into the 13th playing day. A second half strike from Nguemaleu Jacques sealed all three points for the home side after, Agbor Kevin »s goal had cancelled Halidou’s curtain raiser just past the hour mark.
After two weeks of intense camping in Ombe due to the three -week break imposed on the nation’s top flight due to the Africa Cup of Nations, the Samba boys were hoping to bounce back from an aching home defeat suffered in the previous playing day in the hands of Unisport of Bafang. As a confirmation that the Samba boys were out for real business, headcoach, Gerrard Mbimi restored in his first team goalkeeper Francois Beyokol in place of Ebere Chinobi while maintaing the status quo at the defence. But playmaker Mintyia was nowhere to be found at the midfielder after he was ruled out of the game due to a hamstring injury sustained, forcing Tamen into the starting line up. Also, veteran striker Elvis Mokake made just his first start since joining the club from an unsuccessful expedition in Morocco, partnering Monono Evambe and Agbor Kevin who was play against Union for the first time since he left the the club last August to join Tiko United.
On the other hand goalkeeper Bello Gauthier was making just his second start for Union, his last one being the 5-2 home defeat to Cotonsport of Garoua back in November during the sixth playing day. However the squad remained unchanged to that which defeated Roumde Adjia in the 12th playing day.
Both teams were using the game as a test to their continental outings next weekend, as it was obvious during the first fifteen minutes of the game as both teams tussled for possession. But the home team were more present in the physically and took the game to their opponents’ half and their efforts were to be compensated at the 35minute with a goal from Halidou who beautifully connected a header from Moundi’s cross. But Tiko United responded in fine style as Agbor Kevin hit back the equaliser just before the stroke of half time with a powerful header from Njayou’s corner kick.
Union Sportive of Douala started the second half as the first as they dominated the game without concretising their chances but their efforts paid off just before the hour mark as captain Nguemaleu unleashed a powerful left footer that from 35 metres to beat goalkeeper Beyokol for Union to take the lead for the second time which proved to be the match winner, leaving Tiko United on a sting of two consecutive defeats. The Samba boys go back to camp this monday ahead of their continental outing next weekend in Burundi.
