Rainbow FC, Kumbo Strikers, others booted out of NW Mini Inter pools

Prominent football teams have been prematurely booted out of the North West Mini inter pools at infancy.
This follows the kickoff of the region’s biggest football showpiece on Saturday December 2 after several postponements at the mile six Nkwen training center of Yong Sports Academy in the presence of the Regional Football Federation president John B. Ndeh and some members of his reinstated executive alongside his newly appointed interim secretary General Chinda Charles.  

2017 North West mini Inter Pools

Former club of international players like Abang Anatol, Christian Bassogog, Mark Ojong and others Rainbow FC was the first to fall out after a 6-5 defeat by 2017 Cameroon Cup 8^th final contender Bafmeng United. Though Rainbow FC opened score early into the first half through Colins Fuashi, Bafmeng United got an equalizer during the later part of the second half taking the game to extra time after which the Menchum team will clinch a win and a semifinal ticket from post-match penalties.  

Grassland FC of Nkwen became the second victim of the day falling prey to the heavily funded Foncha Street FC of Bamenda. The Boys of Coach Ernest Nwelar who opened score first during the second half quickly got a reply from Foncha Street FC. Coach Mbida Mbida Fidele’s men who demonstrated experience and resilience got the second at the last minutes of the second half thus sealing a victory and qualification for the semifinals. 

The game which was described as a class of the titans produced an uncommon spectacle in the third tier football feast. 

Coach Ernest Nwelar who was leading Grassland to their fourth Mini inter pools failed to beat his record of going pass the quarter final stage blaming the situation on lack of dedication to training by the players. 

Coach Mbida Mbida Fidele on his part praised his boys for leaving up to expectation unlike last year when they were booted out at the quarter finals. He believes that his team has the right motivation to represent the North West ably at the national inter pools. Foncha Street is the second club he is leading to the regional football jamboree after TATECAM FC since 2012. 

Hilltop Strikers of Bamendakwe and Rangers FC of Bafut grabbed their own semifinal tickets on Sunday after eliminating 2000 Cup of Cameroon winners Kumbo Strikers and Ndop Rice Fc respectively. The exit of Kumbo strikers despite their popularity and big supporter’s base has been described as premature by many who were of the opinion that this could be the year to resurface.  

The Semifinal matches have been programmed for Thursday December 7, 2017 with the following fixtures Bafmeng United verses Foncha Street FC and Hilltop Strikers versus Rangers FC of Bafut.

On the sidelines: 

Meet a female Referee

Chin Valentine

Chin Valentine a graduate of the National institute of Youth and Sports CENAJES is one of the female referees at this year’s mini inter pools. The lady who hails from Kumbo in Bui Division of the North West region played as fourth assistant referee of the opening game. Married to Chi Mankon as he is fondly called in Bamenda a football player of the Elite one league in Cameroon, Chin is very passionate about football refereeing. The Husband told this reporter he is okay with his wife being a football referee while he is a player. Chin is a mother of one. 

Bafmeng United and the use of French language

Many have been wondering the force behind Bafmeng United. No one can say even this reporter but you will certainly be marveled at the level of French spoken in the Bafmeng team. During their opening game against Grassland FC, it was exciting to her their coach dishing out lessons in French and above all those on the technical bench could be seen putting on sports equipment belonging to some elite one clubs in the country particularly from French speaking regions of Cameroon. It is important to observe that Bafmeng United takes the name of a village in Menchum Division of the North west region where English is still an exclusive preserve of the elite and thus to see a Bafmeng team speaking predominantly French could generate some curiosity. 

Yong Jacques steps in

Coach Mbida receive water for Foncha Street FC

After donating three balls each to all participating teams, Yong Jacques president of Yong Sports Academy YOSA FA; the region’s lone elite one team is said to have donated 32 pallets (four each) of water to all participating teams. Since work started in the Bamenda Municipal Stadium, Yong Jacques and the Yong’s Estate have decided to put at the disposal of the football association their training center for all matches including the ongoing mini inter pools.   

2009 FECAFOOT executive effectively takes off

John B Ndeh (middle)

There is no doubt the 2017 Mini inter pools is the first official assignment of the reinstated 2009 executive of  FECAFOOT NW. Unlike before, the President John B Ndeh was present at the official launching of the completion. Though he showed up late, his presence was described by those who spoke to this reporter as motivational and a new development in NW football. “The competition has started well and as you can see the Federation president is here and that is very motivational for the young players.” Togem Jean Baptiste a football coach said. The President showed up with his Vice Fortibuh Hilary and new interim Secretary Chinda Charles. The absence of Kaba Christopher long time Secretary General and immediately past President could not also go unnoticed but according to the President John B Ndeh it’s about service not individuals and so “service continues.”