Cameroon juggernauts, Cotonsport of Garoua are back in big time after a 2-1 victory over Royal Leopards in the reversed fixture of the CAF champions league played on Sunday, October 16 in Garoua.
The 2008 beaten finalists picked a qualification ticket after a 3-2 aggregate victory over Royal Leopards.
It is the first time in five years that the Cotonnites sail through to the group stages of CAF's most renowned inter-club competition, after a relatively successful stint at the level of the Confederations Cup, where they played the semis in the 2020/2021 season.
From the onset, it was clear that Cotonsport wanted improvement in the champions league this season, from the recruitment of players and staff.
The 17-time Elite One winners played the first preliminary round against Lesotho Premier League giants, Matlama FC. Cotonsport made light work of Matlama with a 4-0 aggregate win, before they were eventually drawn against Royal Leopards, fresh from a 5-3 win against CFFA.
On Sunday October 9, Cotonsport left Eswatini with an edge after a one-all draw. Marou Souaibou scored early but the lads of coach Gabriel Haman had their work cut out when Sifiso Samu Matse equalized, making the second leg delicately poised.
'on fire' Marou Souaibou scored first in the second leg, taking his tally to 3 in four games played in the preliminaries. Teenage sensation, Wassou Goue added another, four minutes from the break.
The Leopards halved deficit at the 72nd minute courtesy Thami Zulu - to make the last few minutes nervy for the hosts, but Cotonsport held on to make their come back among elites.
The last appearance of Cotonsport in the CAF Champions League was in 2017, when they ended bottom of group D that had; Zanaco, Ahly and Wydad Athletic, with no point recorded. Still basking in the glory of a domestic double last season, this is the competition Cotonsport will want to make an impression on.
