PETALING JAYA: Seven goals in five matches and counting – Jerome Mpacko Etame is fast building a reputation as one of the Super League’s deadliest marksmen.
The Kuching City striker, fondly known as “Bonbon” among his teammates, is now the joint top scorer alongside Johor Darul Ta’zim’s (JDT) Iranian forward Shahab Zahedi.
Etame credits a motivational talk from coach Aidil Sharin after Kuching’s 0-3 Charity Shield defeat to JDT last month as the turning point behind his rich vein of form.
“Glory to God, the start of the season is going perfectly for me,” said Etame.
“It’s impossible to play and score alone; I always need my teammates to help me score goals.
“Thank God, everything is going according to plan.
“After that first defeat against a great Johor team, the coach gave us a motivational speech, urging us to come back down to earth, put the match behind us and focus on the games ahead.”
Etame scored his seventh goal of the season in Kuching’s 2-1 win over Melaka at the Hang Jebat Stadium on Saturday.
The 30-year-old Cameroonian opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, meeting a chipped through-ball from winger Ramadhan Saifullah with a thumping volley past Melaka goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat.
Kuching were reduced to 10 men in the 56th minute when Japanese defender Yuki Tanigawa was sent off for a last-man challenge on Melaka’s Liberian striker Kpah Sherman.
Melaka levelled 34 minutes later through South Korean winger Do Dong-hyun, who curled a superb 20-metre free-kick into the net.
But Kuching showed character to snatch victory in the closing stages, with fellow Cameroonian striker Ronald Ngah heading home a cross from Namibian captain and midfielder Petrus Shitembi.
It made for a memorable 35th birthday for Ngah, who came off the bench to score the winner.
Kuching now turn their attention to their AFC Champions League Two debut when they face Cambodian side Phnom Penh Crown in their opening Group H match at the Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh on Thursday.
Etame is relishing the historic occasion.
“We are now embarking on our ACL campaign – a first for the city of Kuching, Sarawak,” said Etame.
“I believe all the players are aware of the difficult task ahead, and we are ready to rise to the challenge, fight hard and give it our all until the very end.”
