Yong Sport Academy (Yosa) dropped a 2-1 lead in the second half to go down 3-2 to News Stars of Douala in a hotly contested day-3 match of the national Elite One Championship at the Douala Reunification stadium on Sunday.

Baba Basile had opened the scoring for the host at the 12th minute following a header from a Yemyem assist just outside the box, before Kongyuy Jude pulled back the deficit in similar fashion when he succeeded to beat Mounchili Mfombam with a superb header 7 minutes later.

Despite every effort by both sides to take a lead before the break, the first 45 minutes ended in stalemate.

Following the recess, Yosa came back more determined and purposeful. It took only two minutes for the rising Otong Ekuri to pounce on a cross from the left by Kwamtong Gerard, to unleash a half-volley that left the keeper stunned.

The head collision between Baba Basile and Yosa’s sweeper, Sadou Idriss mid way in the first half seems to have had the fate of the match written on it.

Basile was rushed to the hospital and Sadou had to spend lengthy spells off the pitch to be attended to.

New stars’ coach Mbarga Foe Anicet had to bring in Elessa Mimbang Patrick and then Ashu Tambe in the second half in a bid to stem the flow of Yosa that was gradually detecting the tempo of the game.

And it was him, Ashu Tambe who proved too strong for Manjo Louis at the left back for Yosa, when he supplied the crosses for Brice Owona to grab a brace at the 72nd and 86th minutes to condemn the Bamenda side. All these happened when Sadou was withdrawn from action to receive medical attention at the sideline.

Kamgue Justine, though furious with the result acknowledge that the absence of Sadou at the backline was the main cause of his side’s defeat. But he congratulated his boys whom he said “is a work in progress” and were very unfortunate to lost the game.

Team captain Kongnyuy Jude also share similar concerns. “Really I can tell you that it was lack of concentration between the defenders and the goal keeper. I think they are young players, and what we can do is just to work on it and see what we can do in the next match.”

Mbarga Foe, New Stars’ head coach said that the departure of Baba Basile had to change his game plan. “it was not so easy to play against this Bamenda team that was tactically and physically ok...

We had to modify our system and with the entrance of Ashu Tambe we knew that we will have many cross into the box and all we needed was to deal with them” he told Bamenda Online.

Both teams tackle west regional oppositions in their next games with Yosa to travel to Baham against Fovu while New Stars takes on Bamboutous of Mbouda. Playing earlier, Union of Douala lost at home to visiting UMS of Loum by 0-1. For the rest of the results, Canon and Apajes separated on a 2 all tie, Panthere against Dragon of Yaounde ended 1-1, the matches between Cosmos and Astres, Unisport and Bamboutous and Tonnerre against Botofogo failed to produce any goals.

Lion Blessee of Foutouni continued its 100% start to the campaign with another away win this time against Njalla Quan Sports Academy in Limbe. The last game comes up on Wednesday in Garoua when Coton sport entertains Fovu Club of Baham.