Cameroon: Trophée des Champions abandoned after Colombe refuses to finish match

Cameroon’s Trophée des Champions (Super Cup) clash between Colombe Sportive and Panthère Sportive du Nde was abandoned on Thursday after a controversial penalty kick led to Colombe’s players walking off the pitch.

The reigning Elite One and Coupe du Cameroun champions were ahead 1-0 in the second half when the sequence of events occurred shortly after the hour mark. An attack from Panthère down the right flank led to a challenge in the penalty area that resulted in the awarding of the penalty kick.

 

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Mbarga Atedzoe converted from the spot to cancel out a first half goal from the league champions to pull the league runners-up level. However, that was not the end of the controversy.

Shortly after, another penalty was awarded in favor of Panthère and that was the breaking point for Colombe. After a red card was issued to captain Randy Ntume, Colombe coach Richard Towa elected to withdraw his players from the pitch and the match was eventually abandoned around the 70th minute.

Notably, Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT) president Samuel Eto’o and also former Cameroon national team coach Rigobert Song were in attendance at the Stade Militaire de Ngoa-Ekélé in Yaoundé for the occasion as reported by local social media outlet Rythme du Sport. They attended the match in the company of the honorary president of Panthère, Kercha Courtes.

Now the attention turns to the football legend turned administrator and FECAFOOT, who have a decision to make. After a period of confusion and suspense regarding if Colombe players would return to the pitch, the match referee declared the match finished to leave the matter to the authorities.