The Bepanda Annex Stadium bore witness to another MTN Elite Two classic as Astres of Douala secured a gritty 2#1 victory over Sable of Batie. On a Match Day Two filled with intensity, the “Brazilians of Bepanda” showed both their flair and their fight to overcome a stubborn Sable side that refused to go down without a scrap.
Following their opening-day draw in the Douala derby, Astres entered the pitch with a point to prove. They dominated the early exchanges with their trademark fluid passing, eventually breaking the deadlock through a clinical piece of finishing by Gervais Edimo that left the Sable backline chasing shadows.
The momentum doubled in favor of the hosts with the Bepanda faithful roaring them on, Astres found the decisive winner—a header by Belo Zabo of pure quality that sealed all three points and their first win of the campaign.
Sable of Batie, known for their resilience, didn’t stay quiet. They clawed their way back into the game, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to record a goal from the penalty sport by Fifen Abdou and stun the home crowd.
Match Highlights
The Dominance: From the first whistle, Astres showed the mental toughness required for a promotion charge scoring twice.
Sable’s Resistance: Despite the loss, Sable proved they will be a difficult nut to crack this season, pushing the Douala giants to the final whistle.
Bepanda Advantage: The Annex stadium continues to be a fortress for Douala clubs, with the local atmosphere playing a crucial role in the closing minutes.
With this result, Astres move up the table with 4 points, firmly establishing themselves as early frontrunners in the race for Elite One promotion. For Sable, the performance offers hope, but they leave Douala empty-handed.
