The name of Issa Bangfome keeps appearing in other people's back pages. Canon Yaounde say nothing, which says plenty.
Market13 Sep 2027
The window shut and Joël Paten is still in the building
Canon Yaounde spent a month trying to move him and nobody rang back. He trains with a squad that has told him where he stands, and both sides start counting down to the next one.
The deal that would have taken Alfred Meyong to Cotonsport Garoua has collapsed at the last stage, and he reports back to Canon Yaounde with a summer to forget and a season still to play. Nobody is saying which side walked away.
“The easiest signature of my career.” Mamadou Coulibaly and Canon Yaounde agree another 4 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.
He left as a boy and has come back still knowing where the away end is. Most signings have to be explained to a town; this one needed a photograph and nothing else.
He left as a boy and has come back still knowing where the away end is. Most signings have to be explained to a town; this one needed a photograph and nothing else.
The shirt still fits. Benjamin Song is back at Canon Yaounde, and half the ground remembers him in these colours already. Some signings need selling to the town; this one sold itself.
Work is signed off on a capacity of 13937. It is the sort of decision a club is judged on twenty years later, by people who were not there when it was taken.
Asked to play a role that is not his, or taken off before the hour once too often — Marius Obekop has let it be known that he does not like the way Canon Yaounde are using him. Managers hear this long before the press does.
Sam Jammeh is 35 and has run out of things to prove. What he has left is where to stand, when to slow it down and what to say at half-time, and none of that is on a fitness chart.
A new face in his position, and Alfred Meyong suddenly has to win back what he thought he owned. Canon Yaounde have promised nothing — clubs rarely do at this stage.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Canon Yaounde can pretend not to have heard.
Unisport Bafang pay $39.0K, and the deal is done. The number reads well on a balance sheet; whether it reads well on the pitch is next season's question.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Canon Yaounde, and both men came out saying it was fine.
The name of Wilfried Bilongo has come up in conversations Canon Yaounde were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Canon Yaounde, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Canon Yaounde know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at Canon Yaounde is pretending he will be back in the shirt.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Canon Yaounde can pretend not to have heard.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Canon Yaounde know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
This is the season the town will measure the next twenty against. The trophy travels home with the squad, and the route through the streets was agreed days ago.
A shoot-out is remembered by its ending, and this one ends with Karim Bello: 1 kept out, and a set of supporters who will describe every one of them for the next twenty years.
The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at Canon Yaounde is pretending he will be back in the shirt.
A player who expected to start watched it instead. The manager will call it a decision for the team; Joël Paten will call it something else in private.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Canon Yaounde can pretend not to have heard.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Canon Yaounde, and both men came out saying it was fine.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Canon Yaounde can pretend not to have heard.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Canon Yaounde, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Canon Yaounde know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Canon Yaounde can pretend not to have heard.
The name of Stéphane Bekolo has come up in conversations Canon Yaounde were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.
Terms are settled between the clubs and the rest is paperwork and a photograph. Around Canon Yaounde they have already started talking about him in the past tense.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Canon Yaounde, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Canon Yaounde know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Canon Yaounde can pretend not to have heard.
Terms are settled between the clubs and the rest is paperwork and a photograph. Around Canon Yaounde they have already started talking about him in the past tense.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Canon Yaounde have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Canon Yaounde, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Terms are settled between the clubs and the rest is paperwork and a photograph. Around Canon Yaounde they have already started talking about him in the past tense.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Canon Yaounde can pretend not to have heard.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Canon Yaounde have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
Terms are settled between the clubs and the rest is paperwork and a photograph. Around Canon Yaounde they have already started talking about him in the past tense.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Canon Yaounde can pretend not to have heard.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Canon Yaounde, and both men came out saying it was fine.
1 kept out in the shoot-out, and a stadium that will still be describing them in twenty years. A goalkeeper only needs one of these to be remembered forever.
The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at Canon Yaounde is pretending he will be back in the shirt.
The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at Canon Yaounde is pretending he will be back in the shirt.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Canon Yaounde can pretend not to have heard.
“I did not go to Unisport Bafang to sit and watch. I want to come back to Canon Yaounde and fight for my place.” 0 appearances in 9 matches say the rest.
The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at Canon Yaounde is pretending he will be back in the shirt.
“The easiest signature of my career.” Marius Obekop and Canon Yaounde agree another 2 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.
The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at Canon Yaounde is pretending he will be back in the shirt.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Canon Yaounde, and both men came out saying it was fine.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Canon Yaounde can pretend not to have heard.
A player who expected to start watched it instead. The manager will call it a decision for the team; Azeez Falolu will call it something else in private.
“I did not go to Unisport Bafang to sit and watch. I want to come back to Canon Yaounde and fight for my place.” 0 appearances in 5 matches say the rest.
The crowd waited for a goal that never came. Unisport Bafang defended in numbers and left with what they came for, and the two sides could be playing still without troubling a scorer.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Canon Yaounde know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
Asked to play a role that is not his, or taken off before the hour once too often — Marius Obekop has let it be known that he does not like the way Canon Yaounde are using him. Managers hear this long before the press does.
Canon Yaounde spent the window trying to move Joël Paten on and nobody came. He trains with a squad that has already told him he is not part of it, and both sides now wait for the next one.
The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at Canon Yaounde is pretending he will be back in the shirt.
He found out with everybody else, an hour before kick-off, from a sheet of paper on a wall. Nobody at Canon Yaounde pretended it was anything other than a decision about him.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Canon Yaounde, and both men came out saying it was fine.
22 starts and an average of 6.48. He went there to play and he is playing, which is the only thing a loan was ever for.
Market8 Feb 2027
The window shut and Alfred Meyong is still in the building
Canon Yaounde spent a month trying to move him and nobody rang back. He trains with a squad that has told him where he stands, and both sides start counting down to the next one.
In brief
The terracesThe press cannot get enough of Marius Obekop
The clubs have agreed terms, and what remains is formality: a medical, a photograph, a signature. Nobody at Canon Yaounde is pretending he will be back in the shirt.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Canon Yaounde, and both men came out saying it was fine.
A new face in his position, and Emmanuel Olisa suddenly has to win back what he thought he owned. Canon Yaounde have promised nothing — clubs rarely do at this stage.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Canon Yaounde can pretend not to have heard.
The terraces25 Jan 2027
The boos come down from three sides
“We pay for this every fortnight. The least we want is somebody who looks like he cares.” 7 of the 28 senior players walked off into it; the rest were not playing.
A player who expected to start watched it instead. The manager will call it a decision for the team; Henri Claude Balla will call it something else in private.
“I was told straight, and I would rather have it straight.” The manager at Canon Yaounde has been clear about where Alfred Meyong stands, which is more than many ever get.
The name of Juste Koulou has come up in conversations Canon Yaounde were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.
The fee is $110.0K, the contract is signed, and the argument about whether he is worth it can begin. Cotonsport Garoua drove a hard bargain; time will say who won it.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Canon Yaounde know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
Victoria United pay $39.0K, and the deal is done. The number reads well on a balance sheet; whether it reads well on the pitch is next season's question.
The name of Franck Ipoua has come up in conversations Canon Yaounde were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.
Lachlan Middleton is 20, and Canon Yaounde have signed him for the player he will be rather than the one he is. The first team can wait; the point of a deal like this is the years it buys.
He wheeled away like a man who had been carrying it for months, because he had. Canon Yaounde have their signing off the mark and one press-conference question retired.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Canon Yaounde can pretend not to have heard.
The crowd waited for a goal that never came. Gazelle Garoua defended in numbers and left with what they came for, and the two sides could be playing still without troubling a scorer.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Canon Yaounde know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Canon Yaounde can pretend not to have heard.
The manager kept them in and said what needed saying. A response is expected on Saturday, and if it does not come the questions move upstairs.
Boardroom30 Nov 2026
99% of the income goes out in wages at Canon Yaounde
Every club in football pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time somebody has tried it.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Canon Yaounde have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
Shifted about, taken off before the hour, asked to do somebody else's running — Marius Obekop has had enough of being useful and would like to be picked. Canon Yaounde know, and have known for weeks.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Canon Yaounde can pretend not to have heard.
“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.
Boardroom2 Nov 2026
99% of the income goes out in wages at Canon Yaounde
Every club in football pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time somebody has tried it.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Canon Yaounde, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Canon Yaounde know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
165% of the income goes out in wages at Canon Yaounde
Every club in football pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time somebody has tried it.
He wheeled away like a man who had been carrying it for months, because he had. Canon Yaounde have their signing off the mark and one press-conference question retired.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Canon Yaounde know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
In brief
The terracesThe press cannot get enough of Issa Bangfome
The deal that would have taken Franck Ipoua to Cotonsport Garoua has collapsed at the last stage, and he reports back to Canon Yaounde with a summer to forget and a season still to play. Nobody is saying which side walked away.
He is 16, and nobody at Canon Yaounde signed him for this season. Deals like this are judged in four years, by people who may not still be in the building.
He is 16, and nobody at Canon Yaounde signed him for this season. Deals like this are judged in four years, by people who may not still be in the building.
Boardroom7 Sep 2026
87% of the income goes out in wages at Canon Yaounde
Every club in football pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time somebody has tried it.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Canon Yaounde can pretend not to have heard.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Canon Yaounde can pretend not to have heard.
The name of Évrard Beyong has come up in conversations Canon Yaounde were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Canon Yaounde know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
The name of Pederson Ajong has come up in conversations Canon Yaounde were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.
“The easiest signature of my career.” Martin Ako Assomo and Canon Yaounde agree another 4 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.
The name of Évrard Beyong has come up in conversations Canon Yaounde were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.