For more than two decades, Chewie Chris Tabefor, popularly known as “Casillas”, has stood between the posts in community football in Nkwen, witnessing generations of players come and go while remaining a constant presence in the tournaments.
Now playing for Nibung FC, the veteran goalkeeper has reached the 2026 semi finals, carrying with him more than 20 years of experience and a reputation built through consistency, championship victories and individual honours.
His latest contribution came in the quarter final against Mbefi FC.
The match ended 1–1 after regulation time, forcing the two sides into a penalty shootout. Nibung eventually prevailed 4–1, with Tabefor producing a crucial save from the penalty spot to help his team secure their place in the last four.
It was a moment that reflected one of the most demanding qualities of a goalkeeper that is, the ability to remain composed when the pressure is at its highest.
The journey of Casillas dates back to 2004, when he played for Handball Court FC of Mbessi.
Over the years, his gloves have been worn for a long list of clubs, including Mbelewa FC, Revenge FC, Young City Stars of Mile 5, Master P FC, Mandere FC, Foundation FC, Waterfall FC and Alahlieh FC.
His record includes several championship campaigns.
He won with Revenge FC in 2008 and 2009, before losing the 2010 final to Mbelewa FC.
In 2011, he lifted the trophy with Young City Stars of Mile 5, followed by another championship with Master P FC in 2012/13.
The tournament was subsequently suspended following the outbreak of the armed conflict in the North West and South West Regions.
When the competition resumed in 2022, Chris returned with Revenge FC and helped the team finish third.
He subsequently played for Waterfall FC in 2023, before joining Alahlieh FC in 2024, when they emerged champions. He remained with Alahlieh in 2025, when the team reached the quarter finals.
His latest chapter is with Nibung FC.
The longevity of Cheniwe Chris has been matched by individual recognition.
He was named Best Goalkeeper in 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2022, awards that span different generations of the competition.
He particularly remembers 2012 with Master P FC as one of his outstanding seasons.
Then a young and energetic goalkeeper, he conceded only two goals during that campaign.
More than a decade later, the physical energy of youth may have changed, but the experience remains.
Goalkeeping demands concentration, positioning, anticipation, communication and the courage to make difficult decisions in fractions of a second. Penalty situations add another layer, requiring a goalkeeper to read the taker while resisting the pressure of the occasion.
Tabefor demonstrated those qualities against Mbefi.
Nibung have enjoyed one of the strongest campaigns in the competition this year.
They completed the group stage with four victories from four matches, scoring 12 goals and conceding only two.
The 1–1 quarter final against Mbefi took the number of goals conceded by Nibung in the competition to three.
That defensive record has helped establish the team as one of the leading contenders for the 2026 trophy.
Casillas shares goalkeeping duties at Nibung with Ning Che, who plays for Elite One side PWD Bamenda.
The presence of two experienced goalkeepers gives the team depth in one of the most important positions on the pitch.
What makes the story of Cheniwe Chris particularly significant is the length of time he has remained relevant in a competition that has itself evolved considerably.
He has played alongside and against different generations of footballers, witnessed the interruption and eventual return, and experienced both championship triumphs and painful defeats.
His career therefore represents continuity in a community competition that has become part of the football culture of Nkwen and Bamenda III.
Now, at the semi final stage, Chris has another challenge ahead.
Nibung will face Revenge FC for a place in the final, giving the veteran goalkeeper another opportunity to draw on the experience accumulated since his first tournament appearance in 2004.
The penalty save against Mbefi may have lasted only seconds. The experience behind it has taken more than two decades to build.
By Bakah Derick for Hilltopvoices Web
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