By Mangek Promise
The 2023 edition of national interpools has come and gone. One major highlight was the number of exceptional talents on display. The competition that brings together the best teams from the ten regions of Cameroon offers football scouts plenty of opportunity to see budding talents display their trade.
Bafmeng United of the Northwest and ISOHSA of the Southwest emerged as the most powerful teams among the ten but a catchy eye was bent on some ten players that distinguished in their play style.
1) Ngam Leonard (Bafmeng) 32 year old skipper for Bafmeng United is undoubtedly one of the best goalkeepers of the 2023 interpools. He put up a sparkling display throughout the competition, stopping a penalty against Olympic Biwong Bane after keeping a clean sheet in their opening game against Krimi FC of Garoua. As team captain, Leonard is vested with leadership skills that kept Bafmeng United glowing. He is the most impactful player in the history of interpools as he has contributed to the promotion of three clubs to elite two in a row. In 2021, he was at the goal post for Rangers of Bafut as they clinched an elite two ticket. In 2023, Ngam Leonard put up a fencing outplay to get Victoria United alias OPOPO to the interpools who later on qualified for Elite two behind Aigle du Mungo. Bafmeng's victory against Volcan du Noun meant that Leonard got a feather added as he qualified Bafmeng United.
2) Albert Tiku Egbe (ISOHSA) The sensational teenager from Isles of Hope Academy, ISOHSA has been the player to rely on by ISOHSA in difficult moments in particular and the interpools in general. He took the Limbe based team to Elite two. After their semi final game against Pouma FC in which he scored a brace, and his opening goal in the final against Bafmeng, he emerged as the the top scorer of the interpools taking his total to five goals. Tiku also received the award of Player of the tournament that added to his man of the match award in the south west mini interpools finals. He has played for Cesly Sports Academy Tiko, Dream Soccer Academy Mamfe, Eteki Esoh sports academy (regional league) and Destiny sports academy. This season, Albert scored 11 goals and 8 assists for ISOHSA in the South West Regional league.
3) Bengal Parker Veranso (Bafmeng) Bafmeng's defeat at the final to ISOHSA could be partly blamed on the injury suffered by Parker Veranso early into the game. The right back defender of Bafmeng had been very instrumental and useful in their games. He registered the highest tackles and duels among the Interpools defenders and got saluted both on and off the pitch. His technical know how gives him a good reading of the game that suits the philosophy of Coach Soh Simplis. Parker was part of the team that qualified Foncha Street FC to elite two in 2020. The former Rainbow FC and University of Bamenda defender was man of the match in the final of the Northwest Mini Interpools in which his side defeated Bang Bullet 2#1.
4) Ashu Brice (ISOHSA) Brice let his side to emerging Champions after a wonderful on field display. The midfielder was a master of his art helping his side go undefeated in the Interpools with 4 victories and 2 draws. He was one of the talking points in the tournament as he scored from a direct corner in their 5#0 win over Sporting Maroua. That was his second goal scored from a corner after he did same against Dynamo Douala in the cup of Cameroon. He is the first captain of ISOHSA to take them to tremendous successes since creation in 2015. His career started at Njalla Quan Sport Academy before he had stings with Best Stars and LIFCA all of the south west region.
5) TOUSSE TCHINDA (OBB) Although eliminated in the group stage, Olympic du Biwong Bane had a fine display from some exceptional lads. 17 year old Tousse TCHINDA was glaring for the side from the South Region as he contributed to three of their goals. He scored 6 goals in the mini interpools plus 3 decisive passes and was voted man of the tournament after a fine display. He has had stings with the U17 National team
6) Ashu Kelvin (ISOHSA) The venerated goalkeeper of ISOHSA claimed the highest number of clean sheets, four from six games. He did not fail to impress since the start of the competition as he commanded ISOHSA defense with a lot of calm. The former Young Sport Academy goalkeeper was also the best goalkeeper in the 2023 South West Regional league. In the Interpools, heonly three goals in the tournament against Volcan in a 1#1 draw and against Academie Nyom in their 3#2 victory. He won the applause of many and would have probably gone home with the award of best goalkeeper if there was any.
7) Jordan Junior Bang (Pouma FC) The Douala based striker was on fire during the group stages of the Interpools. He was responsible for the defeat suffered by Bafmeng United in match day three where Pouma FC overpowered northwest side, 3#2. Jordan scored twice that day to give a wake up call to Bafmeng United. The former Alizé Sport Academy striker is in his first season with Pouma FC. He has scored eight goals and five assists in 15 games this season. His strong points are speed, good ball call, game reading and strong right foot.
8) MOUSTAPHA LAMAJE MOHAMED (Volcan) The veritable left footed defender of Volcan du Noun is one of the best full backs at the Interpools. Moustapha is capable of playing as a left back and right back. He has a good reading of the game and wins most of his duels. Moustapha contributed to four goals of Volcan including three assists and a wonderful goal from out of the box.
9) HALILOU MAMSOUROU (Sporting Maroua) Sporting FC Maroua received the greatest defeat in the Interpools as they lost 5#0 to ISOHSA of Limbe but Mouslim Sali was the star man for Sporting as he gave his all. He is a hard working and tough defender to beat. He played all four matches for Sporting FC. MAMSOUROU scored the lone goal for Sporting in their 1#0 victory against Volcan that denied Volcan the top spot of group A.
10) NTIGUI AMOUGOU (Krimi Garoua) Amougou was the first player of the interpools to score a brace as they thrashed Ngoundere FC 3#0 in match day two. His ability to control the ball close to him and with a good morphology makes him an outstanding player. Krimi FC got it tough against their opponents but Amougou was apt.
Other great talents spotted included the likes of;
Dieudonné Onege (ISOHSA)
Sone Epanlo (Bafmeng) Enah
Ashu (Bafmeng) Jean Ali
(Ngoundere FC) Constantine
Che (Bafmeng) Clothaire
Sangono (Abong Mbang) SOULE MOFEN (Volcan) Arouna Nsangou (Volcan) Bossis Edjigue (Abong Mbang) Achille Meyomesse (OBB) Brandon Babo (ISOHSA)