Cameroon: Scandal at the Champions Trophy as Colombe Sportive players walk off the pitch in protest of a penalty

Africa 26 February 2026 at 15:51

Nouya M'toama

News Editor

A scandal has rocked Cameroonian football. The players of Colombe Sportive walked off the pitch at the Ngoa-Ekelle Omnisports Stadium this Thursday, February 26, 2026, during the Champions Trophy match. The reigning champions of Cameroon protested a penalty awarded to Panthère Nde, their opponents.

The Champions Trophy failed to reach its conclusion. The players of Colombe Sportive du Sud left the field with the score at 1-1, disputing a penalty given to Panthère du Ndé in the 69th minute.

This decision was immediately challenged by the Colombe players, who deemed the call unfair. The penalty was converted, allowing Panthère to equalize (1-1). But controversy quickly overshadowed the action on the pitch.

Richard Towa and his squad decided to stop playing in protest, then simply walked off the field with about twenty minutes left in regulation time. Faced with this unprecedented situation, the referee ultimately blew the final whistle at the 90th minute, with the match never resuming.

This premature interruption now puts the matter in the hands of the authorities. The homologation committee will have to decide the outcome of this Champions Trophy match, Cameroon’s equivalent of the Super Cup. Colombe Sportive du Sud could forfeit the match and face suspension.