By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
The 13th edition of the Bui Sports Fans Competition (BSFC) may have come to end, but its echoes of camaraderie, thrilling football, and profound social impact continue to reverberate throughout the Bui community in Yaoundé.
More than just a football tournament, BSFC 2025 stood as a powerful proof to unity, serving as a vital platform for promoting tolerance, social cohesion, and the indispensable value of peace for a community where many are internally displaced.
Organized by the Bui Strikers Veteran Football Club in Yaoundé, the competition masterfully channeled the passionate spirit of sports into a force for community building.
“We envisioned this as more than just games,” a fan said. “For our people here in Yaoundé, it’s a homecoming, a sanctuary of togetherness. While we see room to grow, the 13th edition has truly borne fruit.”
True to its name, the BSFC is engineered and powered by its fans. From first whistle to final whistle, supporters demonstrated an incredible collective spirit, mobilizing resources through contributions and shared efforts to ensure the tournament’s success and provide meaningful rewards for the teams.
“This competition is a pure reflection of fan power,” remarked one lifelong supporter. “Every trophy, every prize, is funded by fans and supporters. The value isn’t just in the material reward; it’s in the shared pride and the message that no one is forgotten.”
The 2025 edition was distilled into an intense “Champions’ League” format, featuring four elite teams: Dzekwa Rangers, Chitah FC, Melim United, and Nso Youths FC. The round-robin group stage was a showcase of fierce rivalry and nail-biting drama.
The opening day on September 28 set the tone for a defensively fierce tournament, with both matches—Dzekwa Rangers vs. Melim United and Chitah FC vs. Nso Youths—ending in stalemates. The following matches saw momentum shift wildly: a surprise 1-0 victory for Nso Youths over Melim United kept hopes alive, while Dzekwa Rangers displayed their attacking prowess with a decisive 4-1 win over Nso Youths.
As the return leg commenced, the battle for finals qualification intensified. The sixth day delivered pivotal moments: Dzekwa Rangers secured a direct path to the final with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Melim United. Meanwhile, Chitah FC ended Nso Youths’ valiant run with a 3-1 win, setting up a semi-final clash against Melim United.
The semi-final was a dramatic third act between familiar foes. After two previous group-stage draws, Melim United finally broke the deadlock, edging past Chitah FC 1-0 to earn their ticket to the championship match.
The grand finale, held on December 28, 2025, was a classic encounter of nerves and determination. After 90 minutes of tense, goalless football, the title was decided from the penalty spot. In a heartbreaking twist for Melim United, Dzekwa Rangers emerged victorious, winning 3-1 in the shootout to lift their first BSFC trophy.
For spectators and participants alike, the scores were only part of the story. “So many good things have come from this competition,” reflected a fan. “We’ve seen incredible talent, but more importantly, we’ve reinforced the bonds that hold us together—peace, tolerance, and our shared identity.”
As the cheers from the 13th edition fade, the focus has already shifted forward. The Bui Sports Fans Competition has once again proven its role as a cornerstone of community resilience. Plans are now actively underway, fueled by this year’s success, to make BSFC 2026 an even greater celebration of the unbreakable Bui spirit.
