By Bakah Derick
Saturday July 10, 202, Yong Sports Academy (YOSA) recorded an uncommon win against Elite One group B leaders Cotonsport of Garoua in Bamenda. It took 62mins of goalless play for YOSA to grab and transform a penalty to a goal via Neville Ngon Gama. The celebration was big as expected because winning against Cotonsport is always more than just win.
Facts
Despite the win, YOSA stayed ninth on the league table with 11points. Before Sunday's win, YOSA has not scored in three games and have conceded three goals with a virgin draw.
Like YOSA, Cotonsport had lost three fixtures including their home and away defeat in the CAF Cup semi final and one local game before falling again in Bamenda. The Garoua team with 20points however keeps the leadership position a point away from Panthere Sportive du Nde.
The YOSA vs Cotonsport rivalry: Why it is more than just a win
With 22 matches played by the sides since 2009 when YOSA qualified for top tier football in Cameroon, Cotonsport has taken the lion's share of the wins recording ten and forcing YOSA to nine draws most of them in Bamenda. YOSA on her part has three wins including Saturday's which the team had to wait for eight years. Their last win against Cotonsport dates back to 29 July 2021 a game that ended 2-1 in Bamenda.
That Fans and Suporters catalyst role
The team has not had a win in three games after dismantling then group leaders Panthere Sportive du Nde 4-0 in Bamenda but there was no much mobilisation from the fans and supporters until Cotonsport game to the pictures. Kick442.com reports that the fans contributed over a million francs CFA as motivation for the team. This in no small way could have been the catalyst.
The side things
Ahead of travelling to Bamenda, Cotonsport shotstopper Anye Derick had expressed the wish to be between the sticks before his home fans being from Mankon a neighbouring village to Nkwen where matches are played. He was not given the opportunity. Etta Bawak, Banga Bindjeme II Salomon star defenders for Cotonsport did not make the trip to Bamenda while Okine Felix and Kamilou Douada had to come in as substitution.
YOSA had on the other put some of their players on suspension on displinary issues. Defender Dada and his group of "indiscipline" friends were off but they got results.
While Coach Nkabyo Martin walks away with a smile as a disciplinarian with visible results, Cotonsport's Aboubakar returns to Garoua with the record of being one of the coaches that have helped the team loss a game against YOSA.
