By Basil K. Mbuye
The eagerly anticipated 2024/2025 season of the Southwest Regional Youth Football League officially kicked off in Limbe, setting the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating journey in youth football.
This inaugural day of the league featured two captivating matches at the Limbe Middle Farms Stadium, where young footballers showcased their skills, determination, and passion for the game across various age categories.
The action began with the Under-15 category, where local favorites Best Stars Academy of Limbe took on CINYODEV FA from Buea. From the very start, Best Stars Academy demonstrated their intent with a vibrant attacking style, creating several scoring opportunities. Their efforts were rewarded in the first half when they netted the opening goal, boosting their confidence and energising the home crowd.
As the match progressed, Best Stars Academy maintained their dominance and secured a second goal, concluding the match with a convincing 2-0 victory. This promising performance not only positions them as early favourites in the U15 category but also highlights their strong offensive capabilities and tactical understanding, setting a high bar for their upcoming challengers.
Following the U15 matchup, the spotlight turned to the Under-17 category, where a riveting clash unfolded between Victoria United FC and Best Stars Academy of Limbe. This encounter proved to be a tightly contested affair, with both teams demonstrating resilience and strategic adaptability. The first half saw several near misses from both sides, as the players exhibited impressive agility and skill. Ultimately, the match ended in a 1-1 draw, reflecting the competitive spirit that defines this league. Each team’s ability to respond to pressure and adjust their strategies as the game progressed highlighted the depth of talent present in the U17 ranks, signalling that this season will be filled with tightly fought competitions.
The SW Regional Youth Football League features three distinct age categories—U13, U15, and U17—and comprises a total of 15 clubs drawn from the Fako and Meme Divisions. The U13 category showcases noteworthy teams, including Best Stars Academy, Buea United FC, New Stars Academy Tiko, Kumba Lakers Social Club, and Emma Soccer Academy Limbe.
Each of these clubs is dedicated to nurturing young talents, aiming to foster their development through valuable competitive experiences while ensuring a supportive environment.
In the U15 bracket, the line-up includes an exciting mix of clubs: Best Stars Academy, Summer Sports Academy, Emma Soccer Academy, Buea United FC, CINYODEV FA, Wongaga Sports Academy Buea, New Stars Academy Tiko, Kumba Lakers, Nkamanyi Football Initiative of Kumba, and LLEFCEN FA from Tiko. With such a varied array of talents, fans can anticipate thrilling encounters as these teams strive for supremacy and aim to outmanoeuvre each other in pursuit of league glory.
The U17 category is equally competitive, featuring a robust selection of clubs such as Future Dream FA Kumba, Kumba Lakers, Legend FA Kumba, Nkamanyi Football Initiative Kumba, Fako United FC, Aljazeera Sports Academy Muyuka, CINYODEV FA, Summer Sports Academy, Victoria United FC, and the always-competitive Best Stars Academy.
The depth and range of talent within these clubs promise to generate captivating matches throughout the season, with each game presenting a unique challenge and opportunity for both players and spectators alike.
As the league unfolds over the coming weeks and months, fans and supporters can look forward to an exhilarating season filled with exceptional talent, outstanding sportsmanship, and the emergence of future stars of football. The excitement surrounding the SW Regional Youth Football League is palpable, and each match will undoubtedly leave lasting memories for players and fans alike.