By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
Panthère Sportive of Ndé, affectionately known as “Nzuimanto” of Bangangté, has been crowned the champions of the 65th edition of the Cup of Cameroon.
In a dramatic final on Sunday, Dec. 14, Panthère secured their third-ever title by defeating Colombe FC of Dja and Lobo in a tense penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw in regular time.
The event, which traditionally marks the official close of Cameroon’s sporting season, was presided over by Prime Minister, Chief Dr. Joseph Dion Ngute, accompanied by numerous high-ranking government officials and sports dignitaries.
The match began with high intensity from both sides, but it was Colombe that immediately seized the initiative, applying heavy pressure on the Panthère defense and creating several promising scoring opportunities.
However, against the run of play, it was Panthère Sportive that secured the opening goal. In the 6th minute, Panthère converted their first significant attempt on goal, taking an early 1-0 lead and stunning the reigning champions.
Colombe responded by relentlessly multiplying their attacking tactics, determined to equalize. Their efforts were repeatedly thwarted by a disciplined and defiant Panthère defense, which managed to hold the line for most of the first half.
The breakthrough for Colombe finally came in the final minutes of extra time in the first half. The sustained pressure yielded a penalty kick, which the reigning champions coolly converted to level the score at 1-1 just before the break.
Returning for the second half, both teams resumed with intense pressure, trading impressive moves in midfield and attack. However, despite the best efforts and strategic substitutions, neither team could break the deadlock.
The second half began with renewed aggression from both sides. The teams traded impressive moves and opportunities, but neither could secure the winning goal. The match remained locked at 1-1 through the remainder of regular time and extra time, culminating in the decisive penalty shootout that saw Panthère emerge as the deserved champions.
Panthère’s victory marks their third triumph in the history of the Cup of Cameroon, adding to titles won in 1988 and 2009. The success is seen as a critical step in reviving the club’s fortunes and restoring its status as one of the nation’s footballing giants.
Their path to the final was marked by tenacity, including a crucial 1-0 semi-final win over the historically venerable Canon FC of Yaoundé. For Panthère, this victory is more than a trophy; it’s a restoration of pride, reconnecting the current squad with their championship history, especially after their last final appearance a decade ago ended in a runner-up finish in 2015.
Colombe FC, on the other hand, arrived at the final seeking to solidify a new era of dominance. As the reigning champions, they had secured their first-ever title in the previous session (2024), beating Aigle Royal of Menoua 1-0. Their second consecutive final appearance demonstrated their current consistency, but they ultimately lost the opportunity to achieve a consecutive title.
This final marked the first-ever meeting between Panthère Sportive of Ndé and Colombe Sportive of Dja and Lobo in the Cup of Cameroon championship match. Their league history in the Elite One tournament, however, shows a slight advantage for the defeated side: out of six league confrontations, Panthère recorded two victories, while Colombe secured four wins, including a dominant 3-0 victory in one encounter.
The final remains one of the most memorable and highly-anticipated events in the national sporting community. It not only decides the football champion but also serves as the official platform for presenting trophies to champions across various other sports disciplines, marking a grand conclusion to the sporting season.
Canon Sportif of Yaoundé still holds the record as the most outstanding team in the history of the Cameroon Cup, having won the trophy 12 times.
