MTN Elite One Season Review So Far

Since the kick-off of the country’s MTN Elite One football on February 10, passionate football fans are filled with excitement as they welcome the new season.

With new players, new kits, new sponsors, new managers and perhaps some new fans, games played from Day 1 to 3 gave us 46 goals and also some surprising results.

As is the case in the game of football, history has been made and remade since the beginning of the championship.

After three days of play already, it’s a good time to take stock as we look at the surprises and debutants in this year’s championship while bringing you some statistics.

After 3 games, Fovu of Baham founded in 1978 sit top of the pile, having drawn one and won two of their three games as they make their return to Cameroon’s top flight football.

Also at the first place with seven points is Feutcheu FC that has a formidable record as they have won four and drawn one of their last matches since September 28, 2017.

On her part, third place Bamboutos of Mbouda since beating Aigle Royal of Menoua on the opening day 2-0 in Dschang have failed to score in their last two games in this championship. It should be noted that since creation in 1966, the Mbouda side has never won any trophy.

Yong Sports Academy, YOSA just like last year, started in a poor footing but created history by breaking the jinx to be the first team to beat Stade Renard 0-1 in Melong on match day three.

It should be noted that YOSA was also the first team to have beaten UMS of Loum at home some months back and also the first team to beat Eding Sport in MTN Elite One football.

YOSA has not conceded any goal in her three games and have scored just once this season. They have won one game and drawn two to occupy the 4th position on the log.

Coton Sport have been so good going forward, so vulnerable at the back. Pure entertainment! They have taken the lead twice but failed to preserver it as they always end up with a draw.

They have scored more than any other club and have conceded more than any other club. They have won one and drawn two of their three games and sit 5th.

Unisport of Haut Nkam started on a good footing with a 2-0 away victory over their host AS Fortuna. They pulled a draw at home and were beaten on Day 3 by newly promoted YAFOOT 1-0 in Yaounde.

With four points in two games with a game at hand, Les Astres aka The Brazilians of Depanda are on the 7th spot and have a delay game against Eding FC that are on international duty.

YAFOOT and Dragon all from Yaounde, have both been limping in their form. Newly promoted YAFOOT got her first Elite One point against YOSA in Bamenda and her first victory against Unisport.

Both teams from the political capital have 4 points each and are on the 8 and 9 positions respectively.

On the 10th position is Stade Renard of Melong that saw their home dominance in MTN Elite One championship put to an end as they were beaten at home by YOSA on Day 3. They had a marvellous start that saw them humiliate Union Douala 4-1 on day 1. They have just 3 points in three games.

Last year’s champions Eding Sport are the only side with a 100 per cent so far in the championship. They have played just one game and have two delayed games due to their involvement in the CAF champions League. They are at the 11 spot.

UMS of Loum and AS Fortuna both have 3 points in three games and have all stated the season with an awful start that have seen them won just one game each.

UMS after a number of huge signings will have many questions to answer while on her part, AS Fortuna will take her fate as a baptism of fire welcoming them in Elite One football. They are on the 12 and 13th positions respectively.

Meanwhile, for Colombe, Apejes, Union Douala and Aigle Royal it has been a start not to remember for these clubs as they have just a point in three games except Union that has played just two games.

They are all languishing at the bottom of the league as they are yet to turn the tides. Apejes, despite the signing of last year’s co-top scorer, Francis Elimbi, the goals have been far-fetched. They scored four against Coton in Garoua but failed to secure their first win.

New Stars on their part are in the bottom of the log as they are yet to play any of their three games.

Statistics

A total of 46 goals have been scored in 23 games with 19 of the goals scored by away teams and 27 by home teams.

Day 3 of play registered the highest number of goals-18 while Day 2 of play saw teams finding the back of the net just 11 times in 8 games.

A total of six away wins have been registered with an average of two away wins per match day. The highest home win was registered on Day 2 which had four home wins while Day 3 had the highest number of draws per day of play-four.