For over a decade Cameroonian football club Canon Yaoundé dominated African football. The Yaoundé based club was first formed in 1930 after the then French authorities ordered the Chief of the Nyong-et-Sanaga region to form a club to face Etoile Indigene in a friendly match. Cameroon had no professional league during the early days of the club; however, Canon Yaoundé as they are commonly known in football circles, dominated in their region. 

Nicknamed after the gun used to riot German troops in Yaoundé in 1916. The club is the heart and soul of the Yaoundé community. It is ranked as the most successful and established club in the country. While on the African continent, they are mentioned alongside the likes of ASEC Mimosa and Asante Kotoko when it comes to achievements. Canon Yaoundé enjoys majority support from football fans in the football-crazy nation of Cameroon. While they are respected across the continent as one of the greatest African clubs. Since its formation, Canon Yaoundé has lifted numerous domestic and continental titles.  After Cameroon won independence in 1960, a professional league was formed. However, despite being the biggest club from their region, Canon Yaoundé struggled against other big shots in the nationwide league. 

The first decade of the league was not kind to the three times African champions as they played second fiddle to the likes of their arch-rivals Oryx Douala, Diamont Yaoundé and Union Douala. The club struggled in the first decade of the league and even suffered relegation. After spending time in the second division, they bounced back to the elite league stronger than ever. Canon Yaoundé was now playing at a higher level and had to conduct their daily business dealings in a professional manner, which took longer than expected but once they hit top gear, no one was able to stop them. Determined to become the best club in the country, a few changes had to be made. The players the club brought in such as Thomas N’’kono, Vivian Foe and Francois Omam Biyik helped the Yaoundé giants become a force to reckon with in African football. 

Their first league title came in 1970 and from then onwards they were dominant force not just in Cameroon football but across the continent as well. Canon Yaoundé were now the trendsetters in the country and were among the first teams to introduce positional football to Africans. Their style of play was so good, the club became known as the Brazilians of Africa.  They went on to be crowned African Champions on three occasions in a space of only nine years. The club lifted their first continental crown in 1971, and followed up with another title seven years later. The last time they were crowned African champions was in 1980.  Canon Yaoundé was also the backbone of the national team that held the likes of former World champions Italy to a draw at the 1982 FIFA World Cup. Club legend and former President Theophile Abega also captained the Cameroonian side that lifted the 1984 AFCON.

A number of Canon Yaoundé players were included in that team as well, as Cameroon lifted their first continental title. Over the years, the once dominant team has not been able remain as the supreme force in the country. New clubs have since taken over and haven stolen the spotlight from them. Canon Yaoundé last league crown came in 2002. However, their loyal fans still fill up the 38,509-seater Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo whenever the team is in action.  Even in difficult times, most football pundits still believe the club will rise to reclaim their rightful place on the continent.

-JP