MTN Elite One: Union Douala president as resigns

The outgoing president officially informed the club’s board chair of his decision on March 14, citing financial constraints and personal commitments.

Union Sportif of Douala is on the hunt for a new president following the resignation of Polycarpe Kenmogne. The outgoing president officially informed the club’s board chair of his decision on March 14, citing financial constraints and personal commitments. Kenmogne, who took over the administration of the club just over three years ago after the resignation of long-serving president Frank Happy, has decided to step down amid the club’s ongoing struggles both on and off the pitch.

 In a recently published letter that The National Post read through, he expressed gratitude to the fans and wished the club success moving forward. “I have the honor to come before you to inform you that due to financial constraints and other personal engagements, I will not be able to keep my role as the president of Union Sportif of Douala,” the letter read. He further noted the toll his involvement with the club has taken on his health and pointed to the uncertain football environment in Cameroon as factors in his decision.

Union Sportif of Douala, a club that has never been relegated since winning the MTN Elite One championship in 2012, finds itself in a precarious position this season. The team suffered its ninth defeat in 15 matches this past Sunday and is deeply entrenched in the relegation zone midway through the campaign. With five clubs set to be relegated to the MTN Elite Two championship, the pressure is mounting on Mbeleck Junior and his teammates to turn their season around.

The Nasara Gamakai team faces a tough run of fixtures in the coming weeks. They will travel to Garoua next weekend for a crucial showdown against second-placed Gazelle who held League leaders Colombe to a 1-1 during match day 17 of the second round, before returning home to take on As Fortuna, who recently defeated Coton Sport, and league leaders Colombe of Dja and Lobo. As the search for a new president begins, Union Sportif will need both administrative stability and improved performances on the pitch to retain their top-flight status.