Monday 31 August 2015

Aboubakar, Kweuke score as Eto'o suffers first defeat

A round up of the performances of Cameroonians playing in the diaspora.


We begin this week in France where Henri Bedimo sat out through suspension as Lyon cruised through to a four nil win over Caen, their second victory of the season.
 
It was not a happy return to his former club for Benjamin Moukandjo. The winger and Lorient are still after their first victory of the season but stumbled in front of a strong Reims side that gave them a 4-1 defeat.

Jean Armel Kana Biyik also had a bitter return to Rennes as he and Toulouse slipped to a 3-1 defeat.
Marseille and Nicolas Nkoulou seemed to have kicked off their season last week with their six nil defeat of Troyes but were brought back to earth to this weekend by Guingamp as they slipped to a two nil defeat. Nkoulou picked up a booking at the 63rd minute. Georges Kevin Nkoudou was left in the stands as Andre Zambo Anguissa warmed the bench.
 
Nkoulou and Marseille slipped to another defeat
Ibrahim Amadou was on the bench for Lille as they edged GFC Ajaccio one nil. Jacques Zoua played the whole game for Ajaccio but is still in search of his first goal of the season.

Benoit Assou Ekotto returned to the starting line up for AS Saint Etienne after recovering from a minor injury as his side edged to a 2-1 victory over Bastia.

Ligue 2
Guy Roland Ndy Assembe was in goal for Nancy as they defeated Clermont 2-1 away. Eugene Ekobo was in midfield for Clermont as he played the whole game. Karl Toko Ekambi scored his second goal of the season for Nancy in their 1-2 defeat to Bourg en Bresse.

Daouda Bassock was a second half substitute for Niort as they fell to a one nil defeat at home to Laval. 

In Belgium,

It was a very bad weekend for Eyong Enoh and Standard Liege as they were humiliated 7-1 by FC Bruges with the midfielder booked on 21 minutes.

Sebastien Siani was in midfield for KV Ostende as they suffered two nil defeat at home against Zulte Waregem.

In the Belgian second division, midfielder Etienne Wala Zock his club Patro Eisden lost two nil away at Antwerp. They are yet to win a game and remain last with o point after three games.

In England

Sebastien Bassong and Norwich City suffered a humiliating three nil defeat against Southampton while  Watford and Allan Nyom and Watford put up a strong performance despite losing two nil away at League leaders Manchester City. The right back was cautioned late in the first half.

Clinton Njie continued to nurse a minor injury on the sidelines as Tottenham were held to a goalless draw at home by Everton.
Bassong and Norwich had a tough time at S'ton


In the Championship, Gaetan Bong registered an assist for Brighton and Hove as they defeated Ipswich Town 3-2 to move top of the table. The seagulls registered their fourth victory in five games.

Meanwhile Andre Stephane Bikey is still looking for a way out of Charlton Athletic as he has been frozen out of first team action since the start of the season.

In Turkey,

A Luis Nani brace condemned Samuel Eto’o and Antalyaspor to their first defeat of the season as they lost 2-1 away at Fenerbache. The ex-Manchester United man combined with another ex Mancunian Robin Van Persie to open the scoring two minutes before the break but Antalyaspor levelled through Guillerhme on 70 minutes. Nani was t it again in the seventh minute of extra time to condem Samuel Eto’o and team mates to their first defeat of the season as Jean II Makoun watched from the bench. Etame Mbilla who scored last week ws left in the stands.


Aurelien Chedjou was hauled off with an injury after 30 minutes as Galatasaray powered to a 4-1 victory over Konyaspor.

Dani Nounkeu again watched from the bench as Bursaspor slipped to another defeat, this time 2-1 against Basaksehir. Bursaspor are still searching for their first win of the season.

Leonard Kweuke scored his third goal of the season in their 1-1 draw as Rizespor were held to a 1-1 draw at home against Eskisehispor. The striker picked up a booking 19 minutes into the match but stood tall to score five minutes after the hour mark to earn a point for his side. Charles Itandje kept his place in goal for Rizespor.

Stephane Mbia and Trabzonspor were held to a 2-2 draw at home against Akhisar Belediyispor. The Indomitable Lions captain was booked at the 73rd minute. Landry Nguemo who signed earlier in the week for Belediyispor was not ready for action.
Eto'o suffered his first defeat in Turkey
In Croatia,

Frank Ohandza was again was on target for HNK Hadjuk Split in their two nil victory over Inter Zapresic. The striker first assisted Balic after five minutes for the first goal before netting his team’s second goal after 65 minutes to seal the victory.

In Portugal,

Vincent Aboubakar scored his third goal of the season for FC Porto as they defeated Estoril two nil with the striker picking up a booking in the second half before being subbed off with twenty minutes to play.


In Germany,  

Joel Matip and Choupo Moting endured a torrid time as Schalke comprehensively lost three nil to last year’s Bundesliga runners up Wolfsburg.

Marvin Matip and Ingolstadt returned to winning ways as they battled away to edge Augsburg one nil. The Cameroonian defender was at the heart of the Ingolstadt defence picking up a booking in the second half.

We end in Spain, Idriss Carlos Kameni put up a strong performance in goal for Malaga but still fell one nil away to FC Barcelona at the Camp Nou
.

Friday 28 August 2015

Gambia name squad to face Cameroon

Gambia have named a 24-man squad for next month's 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Cameroon.

Head Coach Raoul Savoy named his squad on Thursday at a press conference held at the Gambia Football Federation Secretariat.

Savoy has handed a first call to young striker Boubacar Trawally following his impressive displays with Chinese second division side Yanbian Changbaishan where he has scored 14 goals so far this season.
 
The Scorpions of Gambia up for a battle against the Indomitable Lions
However, the was no place in the squad for in-form Helsinki striker Ousman Jallow due to personal reasons while star striker Mustapha Carayol opted out of the squad after his protracted transfer from Middlesbrough to Huddersfield left him exhausted.

Lech Poznan striker Kebba Ceesay returns to the squad while Granada's Sulayman Marreh and young defender Bubacar Sanneh have all been called up.

The Gambia open a four-day training camp on Monday in Casablanca, Morocco ahead of the game scheduled for September 6 at the Independence stadium in Bakau, Banjul.

The Gambia have one point after forcing South Africa to a goalless draw on their opening Group M fixture in June while Cameroon top the Group with three points following their one nil victory over Mauritania

Full Squad

Goalkeepers: Modou Jobe (Niarry Tally, Senegal), Sam M. Jammeh (IFK Sunne, Sweden), Alagie Nyabally (Tusker FC, Kenya)

Defenders: Abdou Jammeh (RoPS, Finland), Bubacarr Sanneh (AC Horsens, Denmark), Kebba Ceesay (Lech Poznan, Poland), Omar Colley (Djurgarden IF, Sweden), Pa Modou Jagne (FC Sion, Switzerland), Ousman Koli (Mosta, Malta), Mamadou Futty Danso (Caroline RailHawks, USA), Kenny Mansally (Real Salts Lake, USA)

Midfielders: Sanna Nyassi (San Jose Earthquakes, USA), Sulayman Marreh (Granada, Spain), Dawda Ngum (FC Holviken, Sweden), Ebrima Sohna (Kuopion Palloseura, Finland), Modou Barrow (Blackburn Rovers, England), Sainey Nyassi ( FC Edmonton, USA), Omar Jagne (Dalkurd, Sweden), Matarr Nyan (Tusker FC, Kenya), Hamza Barry (Maccabi Netanya, Israel)

Forwards: Assan Ceesay (Casa Sports, Senegal) Bubacarr Trawally (Yanbian Changbaishan FC, China), Pa Amat Dibba (GIF Sundsvall, Sweden) Ebrahima Sawaneh (Wassland Beveren, Belgium)


Thursday 27 August 2015

Finke's dropped Lions

We take a look at the players dropped by Volker Finke ahead of next month's 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against The Gambia.

Few surprises were expected from Volker Finke when he unveiled the 23 Lions for next month's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against The Gambia in Banjul.

The returns of Joel Matip and Allan Nyom, since the 2014 Worl Cup, were expected to happen at some stage. Sebastien Bassong is just rewarded for putting up strong performances with Norwich City after their return to the Premier League while Jacques Zoua was always expected to return once administrative procedures regarding his age were all settled. Ajax backup goalkeeper Andre Onana has been tipped for greatness, no wonder he earned a first call to the den at the expense of  Tonnerre of Yaounde's Pierre Abogo.
Face down:Abogo is paying the price of his club's poor form
Abogo is paying the price for his team's poor form in the Cameroon Professional League as they are already doomed for relegation. Head Coach Volker Finke has finally bowed to pressure to drop the keeper in favour of Ndy Assembe, who has had a fine start to the season with Nancy and Onana as understudies to Fabrice Ondoua.

In defence, there was no space for Jerome Guihota, Yaya Banana and Ngweni Ndasi who were all dropped for Joel Matip, Seb Bassong and Allan Nyom. Guihota has not been match fit for his Israeli side Maccabi Haifa, so he is logically dropped. On his part, Yaya Banana will feel hard done by after featuring for the Lions in the Asian tour in March- the 24-year old centre back did not certainly convince Finke. Unisport of Bafang's Ngweni Ndasi had to settle for a place on the waiting list despite scoring against Thailand in the Asian tour.
Guihota has not played for his club since the start of the season
In the middle of the park, Guy Zock of Cosmos of Bafia could only settle for a place on the waiting list while Frank Kom's injury means he is completely sidelined.

Upfront, Finke could not find a place for Justin Megolo who featured against the DR Congo and Burkina Faso friendlies in May. The German tactician however heed to pressure and dropped Franck Etoundi to the waiting list. Etoundi, brother of team captain Stephane Mbia has enjoyed Finke's backing despite criticism from the media after failing to live up to the billing. It therefore makes sense he has made way for Jacques Zoua.
Franck Etoundi was dropped to the waiting list
Finke pulled another surprise by dropping Salli Edgard to the waiting list. The former Cotonsport player has been a favourite for the German who even placed him above Clinton Njie in the pecking order the the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. Dropping the winger could however be a wake up call for him.

Cameroon would assemble in Senegal from September 1 where they would camp before playing a test match against Senegal's U-23 team on September 4.

They would take off  for Banjul the next day before facing The Gambia on September 6 on matchday 2 of the Africa Cup of Nations Gabon 2017 qualifiers.



Wednesday 26 August 2015

Song set for Barcelona stay?

The 27-year old has resumed training at Camp Nou after a permanent deal to West Ham seemed to have failed, at least for now.

Alex Song has returned to training at Barcelona after failing go secure a permanent deal with Premier League side West Ham.

The 27-year old spent last season on loan at Upton Park but both clubs have since failed to agree on a permanent deal for the midfielder throughout the summer.


The former Arsenal man reportedly resumed training alone in Catalonia on Wednesday as he recovers from an injury he has been carry all through the summer.

Brazillian superstar and Song's closest friend at Barcelona, Neymar Jr, took to Instagram to upload a picture with Song with the caption: ''With my brother''.

West Ham who are said to be looking for other alternatives have until next week's deadline to complete to move for the Cameroonian.

Tuesday 25 August 2015

Eto'o scores, Matip brought back to earth as Nkoulou gets Six Stars

comprehensive roundup of  the performances of Cameroonians in the diaspora..

We begin this week's round up in France where Nicolas Nkoulou  and Marseille produced the performance of the weekend with a six nil thrashing of Troyes to record their first win of the season as well as for new coach Michel. Nicolas Nkoulou was ever present at the back after returning to full match fitness but young midfielder Andre Zambo Anguissa warmed the bench for 90 mins.

 Henri Bedimo was restored at left back for Lyon as they fell at home 1-2 to visiting Rennes.

David Ngog played 63 minutes for Reims as they fell one nil to Nantes, his third for the season but he is yet to find the back of the net.  

Jean Armel Kana Biyik was a stalwart in the backline of the Toulouse defence as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Monaco.

Nkoulou and Marseille put six past Troyes
Jacques Zoua played 90 minutes for GFC Ajaccio as they fell two nil at home to Anger. Assou Ekotto failed to make the matchday squad for Saint Etienne who grabbed a one nil away win against Lorient who had Benjamin Moukandjo in their ranks as he played 85 mins of the game.

Ligue 2

Eugene Ekobo played 90 minutes for Clermont as they earned a precious 1 nil win away at Le Havre.

Karl Toko Ekambi was on target for 10-man Sochaux as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Paris FC.  His first goal in his fourth start earning him a call to the national setup.

Christian Bekamenga played 65 mins for Lens as they were defeated two nil by Dijon.
Guy Roland Ndy Assembe was in goal for Nancy as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Nimes.

Turkey

Samuel Eto'o continued to grab head lines in Turkey with his third goal in his second game for Antalyaspor as they were 3-1 winners against Genclebirligi. Cameroonian striker Mbilla Etame had put Antalya 2-1 up in his first game for the club before Eto’o sealed the win in extra time. The game came too early for Jean Makoun who was not even on the bench despite the club announcing earlier in the week that they have agreed a permanent deal for the midfielder.

Stephane Mbia and Trabzonspor pulled a vital 2-1 win away at Besiktas was the Indomitable Lions captain slotting comfortably in the middle of the park. He was however booked 20 minutes into the match-not a rarity for the tough-tackling midfielder. Dany Nounkeu was a bench warmer for Bursaspor as they suffered their second straight defeat, this time a one nil at home to Gaziantepspor.
Eto'o grabbed hi third goal in just two league games for Antalya
Charles Itandje was in goal while Leonard Kweuke was upfront for Rizespor as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Fenerbache. Kweuke who scored from the penalty spot last weekend against the wishes of his coach this time shied away from penalty duties after his team was awarded one. Kadah, the player appointed by coach Karaman for penalty duties stepped up and missed. However,  second half own goal from Kjaer cancelled out Van Persie’s first half opener as both sides shared the spoils.

It is however a poor start to the season for Aurelien Chedjou and Galatasaray. After last week’s 2-2 draw, they fell this time to a 1-2 defeat at home to Osmanlispor.

GERMANY

After their strong start to the season last weekend, Schalke 04 were held to a 1-1 draw at home by newly promoted Darmstadt. Choupo Moting failed to find the back of the net though he registered five attempts in the game. Joel Matip.
Matip and Ingolstadt fell heavily to Dortmund
After their shock win last week, Marvin Matip and newly promoted Ingolstadt were brought back to earth with a four nil humbling by Borussia Dortmund. The second half introduction of Matip could not help the sinking ship as Dortmund comfortably ran out with the game.

Belgium

Over in Belgium, Eyong Enoh and  Sebastien Siani were up for a midfield battle when in the clash between Standard Liege and KV Ostende. A booking for Enoh 20 minutes into the game was the start of a gloomy day as they lost 1-2 in front of their home crowd. Siani and Ostende remain unbeaten this season.

Serge Tabekou was left out of La Gantoise’s squad as they were held to a goalless draw by Coutrai.
Enoh Lowis and Evariste Ngolok were part of a Lokeren side that suffered a one nil defeat against Anderlecht.

In Romania, Marcel Essombe was on target in his first game since joining Dinamo Bucarest over the summer as they defeated Petrolul two nil.

MLS

In the Major League Soccer, Tony Tchani Scored with ten minutes left to help Columbus crew to a 3-2 victory over Kansa City.

18-year old midfielder Ayuk Mbu grabbed an assist for Philadelphia as they defeated Montreal Impact who had Ambroise Oyongo Bitolo within their ranks. That was Philadelphia's first victory after six consecutive defeats.

Charles Eloundou was a second half substitute for Colorado as they earned a one nil victory away against Chicago Fire.

In England,

Allan Nyom was ever present at right back for Watford as they pulled a goalless draw with Southampton while Seb Bassong and Norwich were held to a 1-1 draw by Stoke City.

In the Championship, Gaeton Bong and Brighton remained joint top of the table after edging Blackburn Rovers one nil at the weekend.

Spain,

We sign out in Spain where La liga was back over the weekend Idriss Carlos Kameni lined up in goal for Malaga as they were held to a goalless draw by Sevilla.

In the Segunda division(Spain's second division) Achille Emana was an 88 minute substitute for Gimnastic Tarragona  in their 2-2 draw against Ossasuna.

Emmanuel Omgba was an unused substitute for Real Oviedo as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Lugo.

In the Segunda B(Span's third division), Jean Marie Dongou Tsafack was on target for Barcelona B as they lost their opening game of the season 2-1 against Cornella. 18-year old midfielder Zacharie Eungene Onana was a second half substitute for the Catalan side.

Monday 24 August 2015

Cameroon name 23-man squad for Gambia Afcon qualifier

Volker Finke has recalled Joel Matip, Sebastien Bassong and Allan Nyom who have long been away.

Cameroon have named a 23-man squad for next month's 2015 Africa Cup of Nation's qualifier against The Gambia.

The notable faces in the team are Joel Matip, Sebastien Bassong and Allan Nyom who have all been out of the team for at least a year and more.

Allan Nyom set up Joel Matip for Cameroon's only goal at the 2014 World Cup in Cameroon's final group game against Brazil but the pair have not appeared for the Lions since then while Bassong has failed to nail down a spot with the team since the 2010 World Cup.

Jacques Zoua is equally recalled after failing to make the final cut for the 2015 Afcon due to administrative irregularities.

 Ajax back up goalkeeper Andre Onana is called up for the first time in place of the much maligned Pierre Sylvain Abogo of Tonnerre of Yaounde.

Cameroon face The Gambia on September 6 in Banjul on Matchday Two of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier.

A last gasp Vincent Aboubakar-goal against Mauritania in June sent Cameroon top of the group after Gambia held South Africa to a goalless draw.
Friends reunited? Matip and Nyom return after 2014 mightmare

Full Squad

Goalkeepers:

Fabrice Ondoua (FC Barcelona B/Spain), Guy Roland Ny Assembe (Nancy/France), Franck Ohandza (Ajax Amsterdam/Holland)

Defenders
Alan Nyom(Watford/England), Aurelien Chedjou(Galatasaray/Turkey), Nicolas Nkoulou(Marseille/France), Sebastien Bassong(Norwich/England), Joel Matip(Schalke 04/Germany), Henri Bedimo(Lyon/France), Kombi Mandjang(Union Douala/Cameroon), Oyongo Bitolo(Montreal Impact/Canada),

Midfieldersn and Forwards

Eyong Enoh(Standard Liege/Belgium), Stephane Mbia(Trabzonspor/Turkey), Eboa Eboa Felix(PSG/France), Loe Cedric Raoul(Al Saliliya SC/Qatar), Dani Ndi(Sporting Gijon/Spain), Eric Maxim Choupo Moting(Schalke 04/Germany), Kweuke Leonard(Rizespor/Turkey), Clinton Njie(Tottenham Hotspurs/England), Benjamin Moukandjo(Lorient/France), Aboubakar Vincent(FC Porto/Portugal), Toko Ekambi(Sochaux/France), Jacques Zoua( GFC Ajaccio/France),

Waiting List

Ngweni Ndasi(Unisport Bafang/Cmr), Christian Zock(Cosmos Mbam/Cmr), Salli Edgar(Saint Gall/Switzerland), Franck Etoundi(FC Zurich/Switzerland), Ohandza Franck(Hadjuk Split/Croatia)


Sunday 23 August 2015

Eto'o Scores again in Antalya win !!!!!

Samuel Eto'o continued his impressed start to life in the Turkish Super League as he scored an extra-time goal to give Antalyaspor a 3-1 win over Genclebirligi.

Antalyaspor started on the back foot after El Kabir put the visitors ahead but second half strikes from Lazarevic and Cameroonian striker Etame Mbilla gave Antalya a 2-1 lead.

After scoring a double in his first game last week, Samuel Eto'o then sealed the victory for his side in the third minute of extra time with a close range effort to send his side joint top of the league with Kasimpasa.

Click below to watch the video.


We will be bringing you a roundup of the performances of Cameroonians in the diaspora tomorrow...

Who is Killing Players in Cameroon ?

The club have lost a second player in just under a month, after the death of Oben Angong was confirmed on Saturday.

Dynamo of Douala have yet again lost another player in the person of  Oben Angong during their Elite Two game on Saturday against Colombe of Dja and Lobo  at the Reunification stadium.

Dynamo had taken a one nil lead from the penalty spot resulting from a foul on Oben Angong who was stretchered off for medical attention before coming after losing consciousness at the 33 minute.

We apologise for any shocking images
Mortal remains of  Oben Angong
The 26-year old player was later  evacuated to the Deido district hospital where he finally gave up the ghost.

The player's corpse has been deposited at the Douala Military hospital in Bonanjo.

Dynamo, run by musician Marthe Mouaha aka Dinaly are losing a player in less than a month after 27-year old goalkeeper Ferdinand Mbog joined his ancestors recently.
'keeper Ferdinand Mbog died earlier this month
Njalla Quan Sports Academy are still to come to terms with the sudden death of their 20-year old midfielder Olivier David Ndjock on July 20 after a Ligue 1 game against Apejes, though the player did not feature in the game.
Ndjock (NQSA) collapsed and died after a game
Three players lost in just over a month in the local league, just exactly one year on after Cameroonian striker Albert Ebosse was killed in Algeria- clouds still hanging over the circumstances of their deaths.
One year on, circumstances surrounding Ebosse's death are still unknown
These deaths continue to raise questions on the quality of sports science in Cameroon.

What is killing these players? Who is Killing all these players?

We are presently carrying out a detailed investigation and will be bringing you comprehensive answers to these questions.

PS: We apologise for any shocking images

photo credit: Soumangourrou Terrestre

Thursday 20 August 2015

Antalyaspor seal Makoun deal

Turkisk side Antalyaspor have confirmed the signing of Cameroonian midfielder Jean II Makoun.

The 32-year old who was a free agent after leaving French side Rennes has been training with Antalyaspor, who gained promotion to the Turkish topflight at the end of last season.
New adventure for Makoun
Head coach Yusuf Seliski was convinced by the player who will join fellow compatriot and club captain Samuel Eto who equally arrived in the summer.

Antalyaspor made a strong start to the Turkish Super League at the weekend with a 3-2 away win against Istanbul Basaksehir.

Makoun who retired from international duty after the 2014 World Cup will discover his fouth European league after France (Lille, Lyon and Rennes), England (Aston Villa) and Greece (Olympiakos).

Tuesday 18 August 2015

Doubles for Eto'o, Aboubakar,Kweuke as Moukandjo opens Lorient account

A comprehensive round up of the performances of Cameroonians playing abroad.

There is no better place to start this week's round up than Turkey where the Turkish Super Lig resumed over the weekend with Samuel Eto'o's spectacular introduction to the league. The former Indomitable Lions captain netted a brace on his debut for Antalyaspor as they were 3-2 winners against Istanbul Basaksehir.

Leonard Kweuke was also at the double for Rizespor as they were 3-2 away winners at Genclerbirligi. The big striker struck a penalty at the 87 minute to put his side level before grabbing a late winner for his side in the second minute of extra time.  Do you still remember Charles Itandje? Yes, he was between the sticks for Rizespor.

Stephane Mbia equally made his debut in the Turkish topflight with Trabzonspor as they emerged one nil winners over Dany Nounkeu's Bursaspor.  Nounkeu was a late substitute in the last five minutes of the game as he came on for Yildirim to help limit the damage for his team at centre half.
Off to a flier: Eto'o netted a brace in his first topflight game in Turkey
Aurelien Chedjou led a Galatasaray back line that conceded two goals in against Sivaspor but fought hard to equalise and leave the Eylul Stadyumu with a point.

In Portugal, Vincent Aboubabar proved he is the man to lead the line for Porto after the departure of Jackson Martinez as he netted a double in their three nil win over Vitoria Guimares. You can watch the video below....


Over in Belgium, Enoh Eyong was manned the midfield for Standard Liege as they forced Mouscron to a 1-1 draw. The tough tackling midfielder picked up a booking at the 53rd minute, his first of the season

In France

Benoit Assou Ekotto was at left back for St Etienne as they played a 1-1 draw against Bordeaux. He had one shot off target and commited just one foul in the game. Jean Christophe Bahebeck played 60 mins with 3 shots off target, went offside once committed three fouls and suffered one, was booked and subbed off at the 76 min.

Jean Armel Kana Biyik played 90 mins for Toulouse as they lost one nil at Caen.  Henri Bedimo was benched for Lyon as they were one nil away winners at Guingamp.
Moukandjo opened his account with Lorient
Striker Jean Pierre Nsame came on in the last quarter for Angers as they played a goalless draw with Nantes. Had just one shot off target.
 
David Ngog played 74 mins for Reims as they defeated Marseille one nil with just one shot on target out of his three shots.

Benjamin Moukandjo opened his account in the French league as he scored a last minute penalty for Lorient to earn a point against Bastia.


Jacques zoua made his debut for Ajaccio as they were defeated 2-0 by PSG. 

Ligue 2

Christian Bekamenga scored for Lens in their 1-1 draw at home to Creteil. Picked up a yellow card in the 93rd minute.

Striker Dona Ndoh was a second half substitute for Niort in their 1-1 draw against Sochaux. He has just one start so far. On the other hand, Toko Ekambi was on target for Sochaux while Jerome Onguene was an unused sub.

Eugene Ekobo played 90 mins for Clermont as they edged Nimes 1-0.

Germany

The Bundesliga returned to full action over the weekend with Cameroonians making their mark.

Eric Maxime Choupo Moting  was set up by Joel Matip as he opened his account for Schalke 04 as they were three nil winners away at Werder Bremen.
Choupo Moting was also on target

The biggest shock of the weekend in Germany came from newly promoted Ingolstadt as they travelled away steal a one nil victory at Mainz. Marvin Matip was ever present at the back for the newcomers.

In Serbia, Aboubakar Oumarou bagged a brace for Partizan Belgrade as they lost 2-3 against Vojvodina. The 28-year old striker has started the season on top form scoring three goals in three league starts.

Finally in England,

Seb Bassong was a stalwart in defence for Norwich as they demolished Sunderland 3-1.

Allan Nyom equally played 90 mins for Watford as they held West Brom to a goalless draw.

Clinton Njie was presented to the White Hart Lane crowd on Saturday after completing his move but could only watch from the sideline as they were pegged back to a 2-2 draw by Stoke City.

Gaetan Bong made his second start in as many games for Brighton and Hove as they were 2-1 winners away at Fulham to go top of the table.

Monday 17 August 2015

A day with Batamo

Fans and others who knew Mount Cameroon Fc back in those days would certainly be familiar with the name Batamo. The tough tackling defender whose name became a synonym for the left back role. A key member of the team in its glory days, Batamo (real name Mutia Jonathan),  has remained at the club even through its decline. In recognition of his loyalty but especially thanks to his skills and technical know how, founding President Calvin Foinding appointed him head coach to oversee the football club and the academy. Our journey takes us through his present role as a player back to his days on the pitch, his brush with the Indomitable Lions, his relationship with players and coaches as well as his personal life.

It is a very busy Batamo we meet this morning as he leads the U-14 squad to the training pitch. Focused, he is passing on his vast knowledge and experience down to the younger generation.

‘’ Football is my life and I am happy to give back to the kids what I learned in my playing days,’’ Batamo tells us.



His love for coaching dates back to 1995 when he was playing for Kumbo Strikers. Despite his youthfulness, he owned and trained his team in his neighbourhood which he guided to local inter-quarter competitions.

‘’Back then, I won the first edition of the Top Cup in the North West province with my team. we used to be called Top Anana,’’ Batamo recalls.

Today, he is delighted to see one of his talents back then, Kongnyuy Jude shine in the National Professional League with Yong Sport Academy.
Kongnyuy Jude, one of Batamo's products
He is thus bolstered in his daunting task of returning Mount Cameroon Football Club back to elite football as well as groom the academy kids.
‘’I think we can get back to the Elite Two, we just need to be focused as a team and we will be there in the nearest future,’’ the coach says.

The qualities of a good coach

Mutia Jonathan who recently went completed a Fecafoot Licence A badge says each coach has distinct qualities. Some are physically good, others are technically spot on, others are tactically aware while others are psychologically unbeatable. While it is difficult to have all these qualities at the same time, Batamo says  it is important to blend some of these qualities to reach the top level. These are ju the qualities he tried to emulate from the wealth of coaches he had during his playing days.
Batamo (r) after a FIFA coaching clinic
‘’I was lucky to play under so many experienced coaches in my career and I picked at least one aspect from each of them which I am putting into practice today,’’ Batamo whose playing career spans over 20 years says.

‘’Tactically, Claude Leroy and Gweha Ikouam were the best, physically no one beats Jules Nyongha and Jean Paul Akono,’’ Batamo notes.

He played under other experienced coaches like Etienne Sonckeng, Jean Baptiste Kiam, Manga Onguene, Tonye Tonye Nicolas, Djonkep Bonaventure, Alexandre Belinga, Kunde Emmanuel just to name a few.
First Jules Nyongha dropped Batamo for the 2006 Afcon
On his near misses with the Indomitable Lions

Batamo was a member of the crop of talented players in the junior Lions in the mid-90s. While the others graduated to the national team and won back to back Africa Cup of Nations trophy in 2000 and 2002, Batamo never really fulfilled his potentials. First he was dropped at the last minute by Jules Nyongha before the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa before suffering the same fate two years later this time under Jean Manga Onguene. He however holds no grudge and believes the coaches made the right decision for the team back.

Then Manga Onguene did same before the 1998 Afcon
‘’ There were very talented players at the time. Contrary to what people say, only the best could be selected for the national team.  I was just unfortunate to be dropped at the last minute,’’ Batamo says.

How he got to the national team

Mutia Jonathan started back in 1990 as a secondary school boy with PWD Bamenda. Three years later he moved  to Kumbo Strikers where his exceptional performances attracted Tonnerre of Yaounde who snapped him up in 1997. While at Kumbo Strikers, he was a regular with the Junior Lions and obviously caught the eyes of Jules Nyongha, Jean Manga Onguene, and Claude Leroy, successively Indomitable Lions coaches. 
 Batamo(l) PWD B'da and Joel Epalle (Prevoyance Yde) in the 92/93 season
He later left Tonnerre to Mount Cameroon FC in 2001 where he spent five seasons, winning the Cup of Cameroon before spending a six-month stint with Union of Douala before returning to Tonnerre where he spent one season  and back to Mount Cameroon Fc where he retired and took up his present coaching role.

Tough Job Coaching

Unsure of funds due to the lack of sponsors and wholly dependent on their president Calvin Foinding for funding, the coach says times are tough. It becomes difficult to make long-term plans.

Batamo leading his team in prayers
Personal Life

Batamo who hails from Momo division in the North West region of Cameroon is a happily married man with five children-four girls and a boy).

He enjoys a special relationship with former team mates Joel Epalle, Kameni Carlos, Samuel Eto’o and Robert Mba Jama whom he describes as a ‘’brother’’.

* Editing by Franklin Sone Bayen

Saturday 15 August 2015

Eto'o nets double in Antalyaspor debut

Samuel Eto'o marked his debut in Turkish top flight football in perfect fashion on Saturday after netting a brace for Antalyaspor  in their 3-2 away win against Istanbul Basaksehir.

The 34-year old who joined Antalyaspor from Sampdoria in the summer put his side 2-1 up five minutes into the second half after Bassan's first half lead was canceled out by Madureira.

With the game poised at 2-2 after Cikalesshi levelled on the hour  mark, the former Barcelona man show his predatory skills in the box with a superbe volley to grabb his second of the evening and offer a 3-2 win for his side in their first topflight outing.
Same old story: Eto'o scores on his Antalyaspor debut
Apart from Chelsea and Sampdoria, Eto'o has maintained his habit of scoring for his clubs in his debut.

Elsewhere, Stephane Mbia was ever present in the middle of the park with Trabzonspor as they edged out Bursaspor one nil. On the other hand, Dany Nounkeu made his debut for Bursaspor as he came on late with five minutes left on the board but could not affect the score as they bowed to Trabzonspor.

Aurelien Chedjou was in the heart of the Galatasaray defence as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Sivasspor.

You can watch the goals below....





More to follow on Tuesday in our round up of the performances of Cameroonians abroad....