ACTUALITE |
29.10.2002
Sable and Mt. Cameroon FC reach Cameroon Cup final
Martin Etonge
Sable Batie and Mt. Cameroon FC Buea will this year play the Cameroon Cup final for their first time.
Both teams notched their qualification on Saturday after eliminating PMUC Douala and Unisport Bafang respectively.
After a 3-1 win in Yaounde, Mt. Cameroon still did not have pity for Unisport as they beat Unisport in the return leg in Douala 2-1.
Playing in Yaounde, Sable put an end to the dreams of Douala`s division two minnows, PMUC, of qualifying for the final. Though PMUC forced Sable to a 1-1 draw, Sable went through after an over-riding 4-1 away win.
That win did not go into the heads of the players. Against the boldness and determination of PMUC to turn the tables, Sable stood their grounds in Yaounde.
With experience, Sable picked up control of the game. Barely two minutes into action, striker Ambe missed the first chance to scored. With only the goalkeeper to beat, he fired off target from the 5.5m line.
But Ze Zanga did not miss his own in the 20th minute when he obtained the curtain raiser for Sable.
The goal did not, however, discourage the youths of PMUC. With coach Eugene Ekeke permanently shouting instructions from the bench, skipper Thierry Fidjeu and partners opened their game to the delight of spectators.
Unfortunately, most of the spectacle was spoiled by the pigsty nature of the pitch, soaked in rain water.
PMUC tried using the wings to no avail. Only their youthfulness could save them. With 20 minutes left, fatigue put the older boys of Sable on their knees.
Wansi of PMUC then became master of the right corridor. In one of his trust into enemy territory, he crossed in for Fidjeu to excellently volley in the equalizer. 17 minutes were still left in the game.
It was small time for PMUC to make up the huge deficit in the away game. It was the end of the road for PMUC, who after eliminating division one giants Coton Sport Garoua and Canon Yaounde, were hoping to finish their coup with a win in the final.
Actors` reactions after the game
Eugene Ekeke, PMUC coach:
"I`m very disappointed with our elimination. We had the quality and means to reach the final because we knocked out giants like Canon and Coton Sport. But we never recovered from the heavy defeat in the first leg. That was where we lost our ticket to the final.
"However, it has been a good season for us. We narrowly missed qualification for Interpools 2002 and the Cameroon Cup finals" .
Michael Wamba, Sable coach:
"I`m very glad to be in the Cup final. As a player I lost four semi-finals. So I told my players they should enable me forget the past by reaching the final. It has happened and I`m also happy for them.
"PMUC were a very good side, but we were just too experienced for them".
Dominique Emane, Sable captain :
"I am happy because this qualification for the Cup final has come to cover our poor league performance. We had too much administrative problems at the beginning of the season which were solved mid way. That`s when the Cup competition started and here we are with a good result. We now hope to crown the season with cup win".
Giovanni Fortuna, Sable manager:
« I am not happy with the way we played in Yaounde this afternoon. Sable went back to their old ugly football. Proof that the players did not understand that qualification was not obtained until the matches were over. They abandoned the game to their opponents. Meanwhile, we had all to get a good game.
"However, we have qualified for the final. But the players need to worker harder if they want to win the cup".
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