Coton Sport Crowned, Tonnerre Go Down

Coton Sport have been crowned champions of the 2012/2013 Cameroon Premier Division (Elite One), for the eighth time since 2004. The Garoua-based club had to wait till the final day of the season on Sunday (November 3) to wrap up their 12th league title. Tied on 43 points with Douala-based Les Astres prior to the ultimate round of matches, Coton Sport cruised to the crown thanks to a 4-2 win over Njalla Quan Sport after fellow contenders, Les Astres were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Unisport.

Coton Sport finished on 46 points, two points richer than Les Astres, which has to wait another time for their first ever title in the Cameroonian top flight. Both clubs will represent Cameroon in next year's Orange CAF Champions League.

Whilst Coton Sport are basking in glory, it is the opposite for former champions Tonnerre, which will play a no part in the top flight next season. The five-time Cameroon league champions were relegated after finishing a place above bottom-place Sable de Batie in the 14-club league table.

Tonnerre, winners of the maiden edition of the defunct CAF Cup Winners' Cup in 1975, have experienced torrid times in recent times. The club is famous for serving as a breeding ground for Cameroon legends Roger Milla and Rigobert Song as well as Liberia football icon, George Oppong Weah.

Also relegated were Panthere du Nde, two-time winners of the Coupe du Cameroon, 1988 and 2009. Both Sable de Batie and Panthere du Nde are based in the Western part of Cameroon.