Options Sports Academy of Bamenda and Dream Team FC, have booked their spots for the finals of the 2024/2025 North West Regional league. This following aggregate wins over Hilltop Strikers and Mankon United respectively in the Semi-finals.
Defending champions Options Sports Academy, dispatched Hilltop Strikers FA 4#0 on aggregate, to make it back-to-back Regional league finals. Options SA came into the return leg Semi-final on Sunday holding a one goal advantage, after Oris Ambe’s goal had settled debates in the first leg.
Hilltop Strikers FA in desperate need to turn the tie around, started the game on the front foot, multiplying several attacks in Options Sports’ defense, but Paul O’Neill and Christopher Berinyuy, commanded steadily at the back. The first big opportunity of the game for Options Sports Academy came at the 15th minute of the game, when Sergio Marc Akinibom was fouled in Hilltop Strikers’ penalty box, and Paul O’Neill Nkeh converted the resulting penalty to put Options Sports Academy in front.
Coach Ngwa Remy was forced into an early substitution, as he brought in experienced Alphonse Kwalar, to replace the struggling Sone Epanlo at right back for Hilltop Strikers.
Oris Ambe Hanye made sure the game was beyond Hilltop Strikers’ reach shortly before halftime, as he finished off a swift counter attacking move from Options Sports Academy’s to make it 3#0 on aggregate. Sergio Marc Akinibom penned his name on the score sheet at the 67 minutes, to make it 4#0 on aggregate, a scoreline that eventually sanctioned the end of the match.
“They’re still one of the favorites. They are a team that we respect so much,” Hilltop Strikers’ coach Ngwa Remy said about Options Sports Academy after being butted out by the defending champions.
The second game ended in a 2#2 draw between Dream Team FC and Mankon United. Mankon United took the lead in the last minute of the first segment, courtesy of a powerful header from Burinyuy Derick.
Fang Englebert stroke from range at the 55th minute to double Mankon United’s lead, thereby giving them an advantage in the tie. Sylvain Franck Poualeu pulled one back for Dream Team FC shortly after the hour mark, and had another goal chalked off for offside.
Lesley Mbanga Talla skipped pass Mankon United’s defense at the 84th minute, and slotted the ball pass goalkeeper Peter Zara, to put the scoreline at 2#2 on the night, and 4#3 on aggregate advantage Dream Team FC.
There was late drama, as Mankon United was awarded a penalty at the 90th minute following a pulling foul from Billy Samin, who was eventually sent off.
Goalkeeper Ngam Leonard was the hero of the day for Dream Team FC, as he denied Nundi Cagawa from the penalty spot, to secure a 4#3 aggregate win for Dream Team FC.
“The North West Region will be proud of us,” Goalkeeper Ngam Leonard said after the game.
“we controlled the game from start to finish, but Ngam Leonard always has a way to come up with his magic,” said Mankon United’s coach Hamlet Godson.
Options Sports Academy and Dream Team FC will therefore meet in the final on Sunday August 10, to decide the North West Regional champions, who will represent the region at the National Interpools.
