The gunshot incident that occurred during the match between PWD Bamenda and Fauve Azur at the Yong Francis Arena in Bamenda, left many fans more than convinced that there are football actors who do not want Elite One games to be held in the North West Region.
The speculation built up from the moment the home ground for the Abakwa Boys and YOSA, was moved to Mbouda, not long after it was decided that Elite One games were returning to Bamenda after a long period during which the clubs from the Anglophone regions hosted home games in Mbouda.
The day 11 fixture interrupted by gunshots, was the second game played at the Yong Francis Arena this season following the decision to host games in Bamenda. The first match played at the stadium pitted YOSA against AS Fortuna. The public came out massively and cheered Yong Sports Academy to a 2-0 victory. However, on the next match day, the venue was changed to the Mbouda Stadium.
After protests and criticism of the move, the PWD vs Fauve Azur encounter was brought to Bamenda, and shockingly, gunshots by unknown persons interrupted the game; something that had never happened before.
Elite Two and Guinness Super League matches continue to be scheduled in the region, and have never been interrupted in any way, but hosting Elite One games there seem not to be supported by some unidentified stakeholders.
In a statement released by PWD weeks ago, it was revealed that there is someone in a position of power who does not want matches to hold in the region, though the name was withheld.
The public has considered it an attempt to sabotage football in the North West, thus undermining the potential the region has. Clubs like PWD Bamenda have lifted league and Cameroon Cup trophies and have shown they can thrive under the right conditions.
When the federation asked clubs to choose where they would want their home matches played, Elite One clubs in the North West and fans were happy that football was returning to the region. Sadly for supporters, it was again reversed. YOSA had chosen to play at the Yong Francis Arena, while PWD Bamenda chose the Bamenda Municipal Stadium, though it was decided that both teams would use the YOSA arena in the meantime while works at the Municipal Stadium were being completed. The welcomed move did not last long.
A statement is expected from the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) to address the gunshot incident.