By Boris Esono Nwenfor
LIMBE, PAV – The Anglophone derby lived up to its pre-match billing as Victoria United opened the 2025/26 Elite One championship with a 3–0 victory over PWD Bamenda on Sunday, January 25. Played at the Limbe Centenary Stadium, the Matchday One encounter was settled in the second half by three calmly taken penalties, extending OPOPO’s recent dominance over their North West rivals.
Brayann Tchaha Nana and a brace from Maurice Bill Alex Diboto were the heroes on the scoresheet, converting from the spot to give Victoria United their third consecutive Elite One victory over PWD Bamenda. The result also mirrored their last meeting at the same venue, where OPOPO ran out 2–0 winners, while the Abakwa Boys’ search for a first top-flight win against Victoria United continued.
From the opening whistle, Victoria United, despite fielding a changed squad, took the initiative and controlled large spells of the game. Just two minutes into the contest, Laurian Nguedia announced OPOPO’s intent with the first shot on target, though PWD goalkeeper Ning Che Bang was equal to the effort. Nguedia threatened again moments later, but his header sailed narrowly over the crossbar.
PWD Bamenda responded in the seventh minute through captain Terence Ngufor, whose effort was comfortably dealt with by a disciplined Victoria United backline. The visitors’ next meaningful chance came in the 18th minute when Junior Nguimbat’s well-struck free kick forced a save from goalkeeper Steve Samuel.
As the first half progressed, Victoria United continued to look the more purposeful side. Much of their attacking spark came from Brayann Tchaha and newly signed Rudolf Lyonga, recently recruited from Cinyodev FA. The duo linked up well and stretched the PWD defence, but clear-cut chances were few and far between.
For PWD Bamenda, Terence Ngufor tried to pull the strings from midfield, but the compact and well-organised shape of Victoria United made it difficult for him to find space or penetrate dangerous areas. Despite OPOPO’s territorial dominance and possession advantage, they were unable to convert their superiority into goals, and both sides went into the halftime break deadlocked at 0–0.
The second half began with Victoria United picking up where they left off, pressing higher and pushing numbers forward. PWD Bamenda attempted to change the rhythm of the game with the introduction of Elwood Banter, the former ISOHSA forward. His impact was immediate, as he teed up Filding Ndonwie for a powerful strike that was brilliantly saved by Steve Samuel.
The breakthrough eventually arrived in the 55th minute when Victoria United were awarded a penalty following a foul in the box. Brayann Tchaha stepped up and calmly converted two minutes later to put OPOPO ahead and ignite celebrations among the home fans.
The opening goal injected urgency into the contest. Victoria United pushed for a second, while PWD Bamenda searched desperately for an equaliser. Fabrice Ndeh Nsoh came close for OPOPO shortly after, but the PWD goalkeeper once again denied his effort.
In the 70th minute, Victoria United were handed a second penalty of the afternoon. This time, Maurice Bill Alex Diboto made no mistake from the spot in the 72nd minute, doubling OPOPO’s advantage and effectively sealing the outcome of the derby.
PWD Bamenda thought they had pulled a goal back late on when the ball found the back of the net, but their celebrations were cut short as the second assistant referee raised the flag for offside, ruling out the effort. At the 90+5mins mark, Maurice Bill Alex Diboto will get his second goal of the game, again from the penalty spot.
The final whistle confirmed a strong opening-day performance for Victoria United and another frustrating afternoon for PWD Bamenda. The result gives OPOPO an early confidence boost as they look ahead to Matchday Two, where they will travel to Douala to face Dynamo Douala on Sunday, February 1.
For PWD Bamenda, attention now turns to bouncing back from the defeat as they prepare to host Stade Renard in Bamenda, hoping to kick-start their Elite 1 campaign.
