Before football takes a break for international matches over the next 10 days there was a lot of activity around the globe and Cameroonian players were busy scoring goals. Geremi notched his second goal of the season in England, Samuel Eto’o remained atop the goalscoring charts in Spain, Achille Emana found the net in France, Jean Emmanuel Effa Owona did the same in Turkey while Francis Kioyo scored in Germany.
In Indonesia George Christian Lenglolo and Eric Mebenga won the league championship with Persipura Jayapura. In the middle of last week there was continental club action in both Europe and Asia involving Cameroonians.
England
After playing a goalless draw midweek in the Champions League, Chelsea and Liverpool met again over the weekend. Geremi came in off the bench as a substitute in the 76th minute at right side midfield and 6 minutes later he scored his second goal of the season as Chelsea convincingly beat Liverpool 4-1. Geremi scored as he took a low center from Didier Drogba and knocked it into the unguarded net at the far post.
Elsewhere in England’s Premier League Lauren started at right back and wasn’t troubled much as Arsenal defeated Birmingham 1-0. Teenager Franck Songo’o gave a promising performance coming on as a 76th minute sub in midfield for Portsmouth in his club’s 0-0 draw with Newcastle.
In the 2nd tier league in England, the Championship, centerback Mathias Doumbe played as Plymouth beat Stoke City 2-1. Midweek Doumbe again started in central defense as Plymouth lost 2-0 to Sheffield United. Coming on as a 63rd minute sub for Sheffield United was forward Vincent Pericard.
France
In France’s Ligue 1, Achille Emana received the start in central midfield for Toulouse in their match against Auxerre. Emana opened the scoring in the game by breaking down the right side and using his speed to beat the Auxerre defenders before firing the ball between the opposing team’s keepers legs for Toulouse’s first goal in a game they eventually won 2-0. Emana, who normally plays either on the right or centrally in midfield in a more offensive role, did a good job in the match in a deeper lying central midfield position for Toulouse. Also playing central midfield this week was Jean Makoun who played for Lille in their 1-0 loss to Monaco. Another central midfielder in France’s Ligue 1 this week was Landry Nguemo who played a solid match for Nancy as they defeated Sochaux 2-0.
Right back Jean Joel Perrier Doumbe, who was called into the Indomitable Lions camp for their World Cup qualifier v Egypt, will not be able to fulfill his international callup due to an ankle injury he picked up playing for Rennes against Lyon. Perrier Doumbe had to be subbed out after 78 minutes in Rennes’ 3-1 loss to the league leaders with a left ankle injury. When Perrier Doumbe left he was replaced by his teenaged countryman Stephane M’Bia. Modeste Mbami also entered as a sub this week coming on in midfield in the 51st minute as PSG defeated Nantes 2-0. Central defender Sebastien Bassong came on in the 66th minute for Metz as they lost 1-0 to Bordeaux.
In Ligue 2, Eugene Ekobo played centerback for Creteil as they drew 1-1 with Valenciennes. Patrick Leugueun also played centerback but for Istres who lost 4-3 to Chateauroux. Gilbert Bayiha was in goal for Grenoble as they were beaten 2-1 by Dijon.
Bertin Tokene was at centerback for Brest as they drew 1-1 with Reims and Valery Mezague has returned to France after his loan spell in England and is back playing for Montpellier. This week Mezague played in midfield as Montpellier played a scoreless tie with Guingamp.
Spain
Samuel Eto’o and Barcelona pulled out a 2-2 draw at home against Zaragoza after trailing 2-0. Barcelona’s game tying goal was scored in the 88th minute by Eto’o as he took advantage of some uncertainity between Zaragoza’s goalkeeper and central defender Alvaro to sneak in between them, steal the ball and score his 6th goal of the league season which keeps him atop the goalscoring charts in Spain. Just prior to that Eto’o had a shot rebound off the bar.
Carlos Kameni put up another excellent display in goal for Espanyol in their 1-1 draw with Sevilla. The only goal Kameni conceded was a 94th minute own goal but prior to that the Cameroonian netminder was stopping everything that Sevilla could through at him as he produced another sparking display in goal. In Spain’s 2nd Division Daniel Ngom Kome started at left side midfield for Ciudad de Murcia as they drew 1-1 with Numancia. Ngom Kome was brought down in the penalty area and the resulting penalty kick was his team’s lone goal of the match
Germany
In Germany’s Bundesliga, Timothee Atouba played left back as Hamburg continued their fine start to the season with a 3-0 victory over Kaiserslautern. Lucien Mettomo did not play in this match for Kaiserslautern.
In Bundesliga 2, Francis Kioyo scored the game’s first goal with a right footed shot in the 39th minute as his club Energie Cottbus lost 3-2 to Karlsruhe. Marc Gouiffe a Goufan started at defensive midfield for Paderborn but was subbed out after 26 minutes to put in a more offensive minded midfielder as Paderborn eventually beat Kickers Offenbach 4-1.
Italy
In Italy’s Serie B, Alain Bono came on as an 89th minute defensive sub as his club Ternana drew 1-1 with Modena.
Portugal
Goalkeeper William Andem was the man of the match for Boavista who drew 1-1 with Rio Ave in Portuguese SuperLiga play. Forward Albert Meyong started for Belenenses as his club continued their recent slide dropping a 2-0 game to Estrela Amadora. Rodolphe Douala played left wing, but often switched wings as is his custom, in Sporting Lisbon’s surprising 3-0 loss to Pacos Ferreira.
In Portugal’s 2nd Division two more Cameroonian players signed just before the close of the transfer window. Midfielder, and 2000 Olympic Gold medallist, Nicolas Alnoudji, who last played for Mons in Belgium, is now with Olhanense. This week Alnoudji started at defensive midfield as his club beat Leixoes 1-0. Forward Emmanuel Ayuk, who last year played for Pelita in Indonesia, signed with Barreirense and this week he made his debut for his new club coming on as an 83rd minute reserve in their 1-0 loss to Moreirense. Playing midfield for the victors was another 2000 Olympic Gold medallist Clement Beaud. Playing centerback for Estoril in their 3-1 loss to Beira Mar was Yohanna Buba.
Belgium
Mathieu Assou Ekotto started in midfield before being subbed off after 86 minutes as his club Standard Liege maintained their league lead in Belgium with a 2-1 victory over Lokeren.
Patrice Noukeu played midfield for Mouscron as they lost 1-0 to Cercle Bruges. Pius Ndiefi played the first 55 minutes at forward for Germinal Beerschot as they drew 2-2 with Racing Genk. Neither of Genk’s Cameroonians played in the match.
Turkey
In Turkish league play forward Jean Emmanuel Effa Owona came on as an offensive substitute at the start of the 2nd half as his club Malatyaspor lost 2-1 to Diyarbakirspor. Malatyaspor’s only goal was scored in the 63rd minute by Effa Owona. Galatasaray continued their league lead with a 4-1 win over Trabzonspor. Rigobert Song at centerback and Alioum Saidou at midfield started for the winners. Herve Zengue played midfield as Ankaragucu defeated Rizespor 1-0. Souleymanou Hamidou was in goal for Denizlispor in their 1-0 win over Sivasspor. Coming on as an 82nd minute sub for Sivasspor was Raymond Kalla.
Greece
In Greece Guy Feutchine played at right side midfield and set up one of PAOK Salonika’s goals in their 2-2 tie with Larisa. Joel Epalle played right side midfield for Iraklis and had a shot hit the post in his club’s 1-0 loss to Apollon.
Israel
Ernest Etchi started at centerback for Ashdod as they lost 2-1 to Bnei Yehuda after conceding goals in the 88th and 90th minutes. Joel Tchami played 52 minutes at forward for Hapoel Kfar Saba in their 3-2 loss to Maccabi Netanya. Emile Mbamba played 62 minutes at forward and missed several good opportunities to score as Maccabi Petah Tikva lost 2-1 to Beitar Jerusalem.
Ireland
Joseph Ndo played midfield for Shelbourne as they lost 2-1 to league leader Derry City.
Switzerland
Armand Deumi played for FC Thun as they were brought back down to earth after their Champions League win midweek (more on this later) as they were defeated 5-1 by Basel. Jean-Pierre Tcheutchoua played centerback for Aarau as they lost 2-1 to St. Gallen. Augustine Simo came on as a 77th minute sub in midfield for Aarau.
Austria
Ahmadou Rabihou entered as a 62nd minute sub at forward for Sturm Graz as they beat Wacker Tirol 2-0. Patrice Mbock came on as a defensive sub in the 79th minute for SV Pasching as they won 2-0 over Rapid Vienna.
Russia
Jerry Christian Tchuisse played right back for FK Moscow in their 0-0 tie with UEFA Cup holders CSKA Moscow. Serge Branco played left wing back for Shinnik Yaroslavl as they were defeated 3-1 by Torpedo Moscow. Simon Atangana entered as a sub at forward in the 65th minute for Terek Grozny as they played a scoreless draw with Amkar Perm.
Eastern Europe
Patrick Ebanda played defensive midfield for Arsenal Kyiv as they drew 1-1 with Stal in Ukrainian league play. In Croatia Mathias Chago played in central midfield for Dinamo Zagreb as they beat Medimurje 5-0. In Poland Francois Endene Elokan played in midfield for Pogon Szczecin, before being subbed out after 64 minutes, in their 0-0 tie with GKS Belchatow. Coming on as a 84th minute sub in midfield for Belchatow was Ferdinand Chifon. In Serbia & Montenegro Pierre Boya came on as an offensive sub in the 74th minute as Partizan Belgrade and Hajduk Kula played a 0-0 stalemate.
Scandinavia
In Sweden Joseph Elanga played left back as Malmo beat Landskrona 5-0. In Norway Gustave Bahoken played left back for Aalesund as they beat Lillestrom 1-0.
Patrick Suffo played 70 minutes at forward for Odd Grenland as they lost 4-0 to Molde. Suffo was replaced by midfielder Somen A Tchoyi.
Asia
In the Indonesian league final Persipura Jayapura defeated Persija Jakarta 3-2 after extra time. Playing attacking midfield for the new champions was Cameroonian George Christian Lenglolo, who was subbed out after 75 minutes of the match. Playing forward for the champions was former Canon player Eric Mebenga. Starting at forward for Persija was Roger Batoum. Defender Guy Gerard Ambassa did not play in the final for Persija.
In China’s 2nd division Bertin Bayard Tomou scored his 10th goal of the season as his club Zhejian Lucheng beat Nanjing Yoyo 2-0.
South America
In Uruguay Duplex Kamga returned from his 3 match suspension and played in midfield as his club Wanderers played a 3-3 draw with Liverpool. Alain Yombi at right back and Abdul Njankou at centerback played for Plaza Colonia as they won 1-0 over Cerrito.
North America
Alain Nkong played attacking midfield for Colorado Rapids as they defeated Real Salt Lake 2-1 in the United States.
North Africa
In Algeria Jean-Paul Yontcha and Stephane Nankop played forward and were dangerous on the counter attack but their club CABBA lost 3-1 to MC Alger. Midfielder Franck Ongfiang served the second of his 2 game suspension for Esperance in Tunisia.
European Competitions
Champions League
It was a good week for Cameroon’s players in the 2nd day of matches in the European Champions League. Lauren played right back for Arsenal as they beat Ajax 2-1 in Holland. Armand Deumi returned from his injury layoff and played a solid game at centerback as FC Thun beat Sparta Prague of the Czech Republic. Samuel Eto’o played 80 minutes at forward for Barcelona as they defeated Udinese 4-1. Pierre Wome played left back for Inter Milan as they won 1-0 over Glasgow Rangers. The only Cameroonian player who played last week and whose club did not win in the Champions League was midfielder Jean Makoun who played for Lille in their 0-0 tie with Spain’s Villarreal.
UEFA Cup
There were multiple Cameroonian players in action last week in the UEFA Cup. The biggest surprise involved the clubs of two Cameroonian forwards. Israel’s Maccabi Petah Tikva staged an amazing comeback after losing the first leg to Serbia & Montenegro’s Partizan Belgrade 2-0 in Israel. In the 2nd leg Maccabi Petah Tikva beat Partizan 5-2 in Belgarde to advance to the UEFA Cup group stage 5-4 on aggregate. Coming on as a sub for Maccabi Petah Tikva in the 57th minute was Emile Mbamba. Entering as a sub in the 60th minute for Partizan was Pierre Boya.
Another big surprise involved Rigobert Song‘s and Alioum Saidou‘s Galatasaray who were eliminated 2-1 on aggregate by Norway’s Tromso after tying 1-1 in the 2nd leg in Turkey. Guy Feutchine played in midfield for PAOK Salonika who won on away goals after a 2-1 loss to Ukraine’s Metallurg Donetsk. Stephane Andre Bikey came on as a midfield sub in the 68th minute of Lokomotiv Moscow’s 2-1 win (3-2 agg.) over Norway’s Brann. Benoit Assou Ekotto played left back for Lens as they beat Poland’s Groclin Grozdisk 3-2 (4-2 overall).
Right fullback Jean-Joel Perrier-Doumbe‘s Rennes advanced 2-0 on aggregate after playing a scoreless draw against Pierre Achille Webo‘s Osasuna. Joseph Elanga played left back as his club Malmo were knocked out by Turkey’s Besiktas 4-1 (4-2 aggregate). Midfielder William Tabi played as his Bosnian club Siroki Brijeg lost 5-0 (6-0 overall) to Switzerland’s Basel. Eric Matoukou for 61 minutes and Justice Wamfor for 70 minutes played centerback and midfield respectively for Racing Genk who lost 1-0 (2-3 on aggregate) to Bulgaria’s Litex Lovech.
Timothee Atouba played left back for Hamburg who won 1-0 (2-1 aggregate) over FC Copenhagen. Pius Ndiefi played forward for Germinal Beerschot who lost out on penalties to Marseille after 2 scoreless ties. Rodolphe Douala played winger for Sporting Lisbon as last season’s UEFA Cup runnerup were surprisngly eliminated on away goals by Sweden’s Halmstads after a 2-2 stalemate.
Asian Competition
Forward Joseph Desire Job was injured and missed his Saudi club Al Ittihad’s big 5-0 away win over Korea’s Busan I-Park in the first leg of the Asian Champions League semifinals. Forward Julius Pongla Akosah played as his Hong Kong club Sun Hei lost 3-0 on the road to Lebanon’s Al Nejmeh in Asia’s AFC Cup (their counterpart to the UEFA Cup) semifinal first leg.
