Many Cameroonian professionals without
clubs
Cameroonian soccer players in Europe are
still struggling to regain their verve after an overwhelming 2015/2016 soccer
season.
None
of the players won the league title with their respective clubs. To some, it
was a fairly good season as they managed to keep their clubs in the top elite
competitions, while to others, it was campaign to forget as the performances
have left them wandering in limbo as
they search for new soccer destinations before the commencement of the
2016/2017 football season.
In
this write up, The Post x-rays the performances of Cameroonian players abroad,
and what has become of them.
French Ligue I
In
France, it was a sad year for Jacques Zoua and goalkeeper Jules Goda all plying
their trades with Gazelec Ajaccio, as the team was relegated to Ligue 2. In the
course of the year, Goalkeeper Jules Goda fell down the pecking order and lost
his position in the starting XI to Clément Maury, who was preferred by the
Coach. The Cameroonian Goalkeeper was given another opportunity, but failed to
reclaim his position.
Goda’s
compatriot, Zoua also witnessed an epileptic goal scoring form throughout the
season. The former FC Basel and Hamburg- owned striker managed just five goals
in 31 games.
On
his part, Marseille’s Nicolas Nkoulou, failed to lift the French Cup, as they
were whacked by Paris Saint Germaine in the final. Nkoulou played 33 games and
was named as the third most used player in Ligue I.
Karl
TokoEkambi and AdolpheTeikeu fought hard with League II side, FC Sochaux to
escape relegation. Ekambi finished the season as top scorer for his team with
11 goals in 34 games. His compatriot and team Captain, AdolpheTeikeu played 27
games, scoring just once.
It
was a fairly good season for Olympique Lyonnais’, Henri Bedimo, who helped his
team qualify for the UEFA Champions League. It was the last season for the
Cameroonian who is now scouted by some English Premier League giants.
Georges Mandjeck and Christian Bekamenga,
who both play for FC Metz enjoyed a good season. Thanks to the efforts of the
Cameroonian duo, FC Metz was able to gain promotion into the Ligue 1.
Benjamin
Moukandjo was the standout Cameroonian Player in terms of performance in the
2015/ 2016 soccer season. The FC Lorient striker gave Swedish ZlatanIbrahimovic
a good run for the Ligue I golden boot.
Moukandjo’s
efforts were later foiled by a late injury he picked up that sidelined him for
many months.
Barclays Premier League
Just
like in the French Liue I, Cameroonian players in the English Premier League
also witnessed a torrid season.
Watford
right-back, Allan Nyom enjoyed a debut season in the Premier League; as his
rugged performance helped Watford maintain its Premier League status.
Unlike
Nyom, Alexandre Song experienced one of the worst seasons in his soccer career
with West Ham United. Song played just 12 games throughout the season and is
one of the players who have been left in Limbo as he heads back to his parent
club Barcelona where his fate is uncertain.
On
the other, Tottenham Hotspurs’ Clinton Njie struggled with injuries in his
debut season in the Premier League. The former Lyon Striker was sidelined for
six months and will be hoping to be given another opportunity to revive his
career.
La Liga (Spain)
In
the Spanish La Liga, Idriss Carlos Kameni was able to keep prolific attackers
like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Antoine Griezmann and Neymar
Junior abbey. Out of 32 games, Kameni conceded only 26 goals, making him the
best Cameroonian Goalkeeper in Europe in 2016.
FabriceOndoa
on his part has been unable to stamp his authority on a starting spot since
moving from Barcelona team B to Gimnastic de Tarragona in Division II, before
being loaned out to PoblaMafumet, a Division III side.
Bundesliga (Germany)
After
so many years in Germany, Joel Matip finally ended his engagement with Schalke
04 and penned a new contract with Liverpool in the Premier League. Before his
transfer to England, the Defender made 34 appearances for the Bundesliga Club,
scoring three goals.
Like
Joel Matip, Marvin Matip played 33 games, scoring two goals. He equally
captained his team, Ingolstadt as they battled together to escape relegation.
On
his part, Maxim Choupo-Moting plagued by injuries, only scored six goals in 28
games with Schalke 04. His club will compete in the Europa League next year.
PrimeiraLiga (Portugal)
Vincent
Aboubakar enjoyed a prolific season with FC Porto and emerged top scorer for
the team with 13 goals. It was an improvement of last season at the club where
he scored only four times in the league.
Belgium – Beloften Pro League
Lewis
MbahEnoh’s three goals helped his club, KSC Lokeren to finish the season on the
11th spot. On their part, Collins Fai and EyongEnoh helped Standard Liège to
win the Belgian Cup. But the team ended the League on the 7th position thereby
missing out of European elite competitions
.
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