The 2026 Cameroon Super Cup was marred by controversy this Thursday, February 26, when Colombe Sportive of Sangmélima left the field in protest against the refereeing. The Southern club issued a statement denouncing biased refereeing in favor of Panthère Sportive du Ndé, pointing to a series of refereeing decisions that it considers unfair.
According to the statement signed by the club's secretary general, Jérôme Mvomo Andjongo, the incident that precipitated the team's departure was the awarding of a penalty to Panthère, followed by the sending off of Colombe's captain. The club considers these decisions to be part of a pattern of unfavorable refereeing that has been going on since the start of the season.
Colombe Sportive points out that during the two successive matches against Panthère du Ndé, contentious refereeing decisions were taken in favor of their opponents after discussions between the referees and the Ndé team during the break. The club questions the neutrality of the refereeing, citing penalties awarded to Panthère in Bandjoun and Yaoundé, combined with a red card for their captain.
"We feel abused by the refereeing," the club said in its statement, expressing its outrage at the situation. Colombe regretted its gesture towards the personalities present at the military stadium in Yaoundé, while calling on the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT) to guarantee fairness and restore the image of Cameroonian football.
The incident brought an abrupt end to a match that had started well for Colombe, with a goal from Lima in the 3rd minute. Panthère equalized from the disputed penalty in the 64th minute, converted by Mbarga. The match ended without the trophy being presented, to the boos of a crowd divided between consternation and anger.
The Super Coupe Roger Milla is a competition between the champion of the Cameroonian Premier Division and the winner of the Cameroon Cup. The 2025 season saw Colombe Sportive win the championship and Panthère Sportive lift the Cameroon Cup.
This incident comes at a time when the image of Cameroonian football is already fragile. The federation's homologation and disciplinary committee is expected to take up the case, with the possibility of an appeal. Colombe faces heavy sanctions for abandoning the match.
