Cameroon is one of the most successful countries in world football. So let’s take a look at the 5 best Cameroonian players of all time.
Ranking second in Africa, just behind Egypt, the country of the Indomitable Lions has managed to win so many titles thanks to its ability to produce outstanding footballers over the long term. These personalities have contributed to the international renown of the Cameroon label.
Afrique Sports has compiled a list of the 5 best Cameroonian players of all time.
5. Thomas N’kono
Thomas N’Kono is often regarded as the most outstanding goalkeeper in Cameroon’s history. The same is true of the entire African continent. This reputation is justified by the fact that he was the first goalkeeper to win the African Golden Ball twice (in 1979 and 1982). This trophy is awarded to the best-performing African player of the year.
He began his career at a very early age. At the age of 19, he was already the main goalkeeper for the Canon de Yaoundé football team in the 1970s. He was also the main goalkeeper for Cameroon’s national team, the Indomitable Lions, during the 1982 World Cup. He helped his country finish the tournament without losing a single match. During the 1990 campaign, in which Cameroon reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup, Thomas N’kono impressed the South American and European strikers with his exceptional saves.
His promptness surprised, his calm astonished and his detachment irritated. He is also one of the most successful goalkeepers. During his career, he won the African Cup of Nations in 1984, the African Cup of Champions Clubs in 1978 and 1980, and the African Cup Winners’ Cup in 1979.
He also won the Cameroon league title in 1974, 1977, 1979, 1980 and 1982 with Canon Yaoundé. Thomas N’kono became Bolivian champion in 1996 and 1997 with Bolívar La Paz. He was a UEFA Cup finalist in 1988 with Espanyol de Barcelona.
4. Rigobert Song
Rigobert Song Bahannag is probably the greatest defender ever to play for the Indomitable Lions. In fact, he made his debut for the Cameroon national team at a very early age, during the 1994 World Cup, when he was just 17. The player was expelled from that World Cup and remains the youngest player ever to be sent off at a World Cup finals.
Rigobert Song is an ardent defender and a passionate footballer. He has enjoyed a brilliant career in Europe, winning various titles. He won the French League Cup in 1996 with FC Metz. In Turkey, he won the Cup in 2005 and was crowned champion in 2006 and 2008 with Galatasaray. He also played for Liverpool FC and West Ham during his time in England.
With his national team, he won two African Cup of Nations titles (2000 and 2002), and was even voted best player of the 2002 edition. He wore the captain’s armband for 10 years. He holds the record for most appearances for the Indomitable Lions, with 137. Rigobert Song is currently the player who has played in the greatest number of African Nations Cups (8 editions for 36 matches). He ended his playing career in 2010 after the World Cup. He has been coach of the Indomitable Lions since February 2022.
3. Patrick Mboma
Patrick “Magic” Mboma is recognised as one of Cameroon’s all-time leading goalscorers. Strong, fast and robust, Patrick Mboma will go down in the history of African football. He began his career in 1992 with Paris Saint Germain.
In 1997, he moved to Gamba Osaka in Japan, where he scored 25 goals in 29 appearances. This was probably the most profitable period of his club career. However, his fame is mainly due to his performances with the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon. He won two African Cups in 2000 and 2002.
He also won an Olympic gold medal in 2000. He was named the most successful player at the 2000 Olympics. He was also top scorer at the 2002 and 2004 African Cup of Nations. Patrick Mboma was voted African Footballer of the Year in 2000. One of his exploits will live long in the memory of the French. Many still remember his acrobatic back-flip in a friendly match against the French team at the Stade de France.
Patrick Mboma is currently the Indomitable Lions’ third all-time top scorer with 44 goals. He is ahead of François Omam Biyick (45 goals) and Samuel Eto’o (58 goals), who are in second and first place respectively.
2. Albert Roger Mila
Having twice won the title of best African player, Roger Milla is considered to be one of the greatest African strikers of all time. He is a very skilful and precise player in front of goal. He made a major contribution to Cameroon’s performance at the 1990 World Cup. However, in 1988, he decided to retire from international football. He played in the honour division on Reunion Island.
Nevertheless, for the 1990 World Cup, he was expressly recalled by the Head of State, Paul Biya. Aged 38 at the time, he finished the tournament with 4 goals. He scored twice against André Higuita’s Colombia. At the age of 42, he took part in the 1994 World Cup in the United States.
He scored Cameroon’s only goal of the tournament. He thus became the oldest striker in World Cup history. Mila won 2 African Cup of Nations titles with the Cameroon team. He was named top scorer and best player at the 1986 and 1988 editions of the CAN.
1. Samuel Eto’o Fils
The renowned Samuel Eto’o is recognised as one of the greatest African footballers of all time and an icon of Cameroonian football. This recognition did not come about by chance. Samuel Eto’o’s career has been marked by both collective and individual success.
Spotted at the age of 18 by Real Madrid, the young Nkongais unfortunately failed to make a name for himself in the Spanish capital. He decided to move to Mallorca in 2000, where his career took off. There he won the Spanish Cup with his club in 2003, scoring twice in the final against Real Madrid.
After leaving Mallorca 19 years ago, Eto’o is still the club’s second all-time top scorer with 70 goals. Eto’o rose to fame with Barcelona, winning two Champions Leagues, La Liga and the Pichichi title.
After winning the treble with Barcelona in 2009, he went on to win another treble with Inter Milan in 2010. In doing so, he became the only footballer in history to have won two trebles with two different teams in consecutive years.
With Cameroon, he won two African Nations Cups. He won a gold medal at the Olympic Games. Eto’o is the top scorer in the history of the Indomitable Lions with 58 goals, as well as the top scorer at the African Cup of Nations. He also holds the record for the most African Ballon d’Or awards, with 4. He is tied with Ivorian footballer Yaya Touré. Now retired, he is President of the Cameroon Football Federation.
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