A fortnight ago in the first leg match played at the Harare Stadium, the visiting Cameroonian team unleashed a 1-0 defeat on their hosts. The Garoua-based team came into the match to confirm their newfound supremacy in the African club scene.

Cotonsport’s defence man, Sebastien Ndzana Koua surprised the visitors from Harare when he opened scores at the first minute of play. At the 52nd minute, Jacques Zoua, for Cotonsport consolidated his team’s intention for a place in the grande finale by netting the second goal. It was joy for all at the Roumde Adjia stadium. It would not end there; inspirational scorer and Niger-born Daouda Kamilou came in with his own contribution at the 61st minute. He has seven goals in the MTN CAF Champions League 2008.

Focused on making an impact in this year’s MTN CAF Champions league, Ousmaila Baba, showcased his scoring dexterity by chipping in the fourth goal for his team at the 76th minute.

The Zimbabwean team that arrived Cameroon just twenty-four hours to the match had nothing to offer. Their dream of getting further into the prestigious MTN CAF Champions League had been dashed.

The spectacular qualification of Cotonsport has brought a lot of joy into the hearts of Cameroonian football enthusiasts. It is 27 years already that no Cameroonian club has won a continental trophy. The last time a Cameroonian club was at the continental spotlight was in 1980, thanks to Canon Sportif of Yaounde.

A special bonus of FCFA one million from the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education to each player of Cotonsport might have motivated them.

In the second semi-finals match played at the Cairo National Stadium, host, Al Ahly, had an emphatic 1-0 win over Enyimba of Aba, Nigeria. Angolan-born Flavio Amado did the trick for the Egyptian club side, Ahly. In the first leg match played in Aba, Nigeria, a fortnight ago, the two teams pulled a zero all tie.

CAF Press Office announced that the first leg of the finals would be played on Saturday, November 1, with Al Ahly hosting Cotonsport of Garoua at the Cairo National Stadium. The return-leg has been programmed for Roumde Adjia Stadium, Garoua come Saturday, November 15.

Background - CAF Champions League

The CAF Champions League came into existence in 1965. The first edition was played on February 7 1965 in Accra, Ghana. Cameroonian club, Oryx Douala went into history by winning the maiden edition of the CAF Champions League. Oryx trashed Stade Malien of Bamako, Mali, 2-1. Taking on the heels of Oryx Douala in the continental scene from Cameroon have been two sensational clubs; Canon Sportif of Yaounde and Union Sportif of Douala.

Canon of Yaounde has won the CAF Champions League three times; 1971, 1978 and 1980. Union of Douala came into the spotlight in 1979. The performance of Cameroonian clubs since 1965 at the creation of the CAF Champions League is as follows;

1965 : Oryx of Douala

1971 : Canon of Yaoundé

1978 : Canon of Yaoundé

1979 : Union of Douala

1980 : Canon of Yaoundé