Options Sports Academy and Dream Team FC have taken a slight advantage in their race to reaching the final of the 2024/2025 North West Regional league. This following their wins over Hilltop Strikers FA and Mankon United respectively in the Semi-final first leg matches played on Wednesday July 30, at the University of Bamenda Stadium.
Dream Team FC came from behind to beat Mankon United 2#1 in the first Semi-final fixture. Mankon United took the lead at the 36th minute of the game, when Tabort Etaka capitalized on a defensive error from Dream Team, and slotted the ball into an empty net.
The response from Dream Team was immediately, as Sylvian Franck Poualeu drew the game levelled at the 39th minute. Although Mankon United came back from the break looking more purposeful, it was Dream Team who went in front at the 65th, when Njiberu Durrel’s header narrowly went through the legs of Goalkeeper Peter Zara.
The introduction of the likes of Gerard Nkwahtong, and Patrick Clarvet, didn’t help matters for Mankon United, as Goalkeeper Ngam Leonard stayed solid, to ensure that Dream Team FC takes a one goal advantage to the return leg.
The second encounter pitted defending champions Options Sports Academy against Hilltop Strikers FA. A highly entertaining first segment ended goalless, with both teams guilty of their own fair share of wasted opportunities.
Options Sports Academy went ahead at the 60th minute, when captain Oris Ambe Hanye, outsmarted Hilltop Strikers’ defense and slotted the ball pass Goalkeeper Anye Boris. A 1#0 score at full-time, which means Options Sports Academy have 90 minutes to reach back-to-back Regional league finals.
The return leg Semi-final games are expected to come up on Sunday.
