Semi-Finals Preview: Nibung FC face neighbours Revenge FC in high stakes Bamenda III clash

The second semi final of the Bamenda III Council Inclusive Royal Tournament 2026 is shaping up as a battle between the most impressive group stage side of the  competition and a Revenge FC of Mbesi team that has fought its way into the last four.

Nibung FC 

Nibung FC come into the encounter with the strongest record of any team still competing for the trophy. They won all four of their Pool B matches, scoring 12 goals and conceding just two.

Their run continued in the quarter finals against Mbefi FC, although the result was much tighter than their group stage performances. The two sides drew 1–1 after regulation time before Nibung held their nerve to win 4–1 on penalties.

That victory demonstrated an important quality that statistics alone cannot capture. Nibung can score freely, but they have also shown that they can survive pressure when a match refuses to go according to plan.

The route of Revenge FC to the semi finals has been less dominant but equally convincing.

They finished second in Pool B with six points from four matches, winning two and losing two. They scored seven goals and conceded five before producing arguably their strongest knockout performance against Bayelle FC.

Revenge defeated Bayelle 4–1 in the quarter final, a result that immediately changed the complexion of their campaign.

They will therefore enter the semi final with confidence, particularly after demonstrating their ability to punish defensive weaknesses.

Revenge Fc of Mbesi

There is also a psychological element to the contest. Nibung already defeated Revenge 2–0 during the group stage. Revenge will now have the opportunity to correct that result when it matters most.

On paper, Nibung have the advantage.

They have scored 14 goals in five matches including the quarter final, while conceding only three. Revenge have scored 11 goals in five matches and conceded six.

But the quarter finals offered a warning to anyone relying too heavily on group stage form.

Nibung needed penalties to eliminate Mbefi, while Revenge dispatched Bayelle comfortably.

The semi final therefore presents a different test. Nibung will want to impose the attacking football that carried them through the group stage. Revenge will need to combine the defensive discipline required in a knockout match with the attacking sharpness that produced four goals against Bayelle.

The winner will book a place in the 2026 final.

And after five matches without defeat, Nibung are no longer simply chasing a semi final place. They are chasing the possibility of completing an unbeaten march to the trophy.

By Bakah Derick for Hilltopvoices Web

Tel: +237 694 71 85 77