This past weekend’s star performers include Raymond Kalla in Germany, Pierre Webo in Spain, Thomas Job Iyock in Italy and Alexandre Song and Benoit Assou Ekotto in France. While in Italy’s Serie B, right winger Thomas Job Iyock scored again in Pescara’s 2-1 win over Cesena.
Germany
Raymond Kalla played a solid game at centerback and scored Bochum’s 2nd goal in their 3-1 win over Nurnberg in the German Bundesliga. Kalla scored his 4th goal of the season on a header off of a corner kick in the 42nd minute. Both of Kaiserslautern’s Camerooonian defenders played in their club’s 3-0 victory over Freiburg. Lucien Mettomo started at centerback while Bill Tchato started at left back.
In the Bundesliga 2, Cyrille Florent Bella came on as a sub at forward at the beginning of the 2nd half of LR Ahlen’s 1-0 loss to Oberhausen. Daniel Wansi came on as an offensive sub in the 71st minute of Dynamo Dresden’s 4-1 loss to Aue. Francis Kioyo did not play due to injury.
Spain
France
In Ligue 1, left back Benoit Assou Ekotto had an excellent match as Lens defeated Sochaux 2-1. 17 year old Alexandre Song again gave an impressive performance at centerback for Bastia in his club’s 2-0 win over Caen. Countryman Paul Essola entered as a sub in midfield for Bastia in the 74th minute of that match. Achille Emana played well at right side midfield for Toulouse in their 0-0 draw with Monaco. Henri Bedimo Nsame came on as a midfield sub for Toulouse at the start of the 2nd half.
Salomon Olembe received a rare start at left back for Marseille in their 3-1 win over Nantes. After starting midweek in European matches for their clubs, Jean Makoun and Modeste Mbami came off the bench as midfield subs in league play. Makoun entered in the 86th minute of Lille’s 1-1 tie with Strasbourg while Mbami came on in the 55th minute of PSG’s 1-1 draw with Nice.
In Ligue 2, Martin Ekani (Angers) and Bertin Tokene (Grenoble) started at centerback in their clubs’ scoreless draw. Thierry Gathuessi also started at centerback for Montpellier in his club’s scoreless draw with Chauteauroux. Alexis Ngambi was the central defender for Gueugnon as they lost 1-0 to Ligue 2 leaders Nancy. Julien N’Da was Niort’s left back in their 1-0 loss to Reims. Eugene Ekobo was in midfield as Creteil drew 0-0 with Amiens. Marcus Mokake’s disappointing season continued at Sedan, he started at forward in his club’s 1-0 loss to Dijon but was subbed out at the start of the second half.
England
In the Premier League, Timothee Atouba had a good showing at left back for Tottenham in his club’s 2-0 win over Middlesbrough. Lauren had a somewhat shaky performance at right back as Arsenal lost 2-1 to Liverpool. Geremi came on as a sub in midfield in the 71st minute as Chelsea expanded their league lead with a 4-0 win over Charlton.
In the Championship, Matthias Doumbe started at centerback for Plymouth as they were beaten 2-1 by Leicester City. Patrick Suffo came off the bench as a sub at forward in the 76th minute of Coventry’s 1-0 loss to Crewe.
Italy
In Italy’s Serie B, right winger Thomas Job Iyock scored again in Pescara’s 2-1 win over Cesena. Job Iyock scored in the 52nd minute and was subbed out in the 82nd. Alain Bono started at right back for Ternana in his club’s 1-0 loss to Genoa before being substituted in the 78th minute. Antonio Ghomsi made his Serie B debut this season starting at centerback as his club Salernitana defeated Vicenza 3-1.
Belgium
In Racing Genk’s 3-1 win over Ostende, Eric Matoukou (centerback) and Justice Wamfor (midfield) started for Genk. Matoukou saved two goals by clearing shots off the line in his club’s win. In La Louviere’s 2-0 win over Beveren, Matthieu Assou Ekotto started in midfield but was red carded for picking up yellow cards in the 81st and 84th minutes of the game. FC Brussels’ Aloys Nong started at forward but was subbed out in the 55th minute of his club’s 5-1 loss to Lierse. Mouscron’s Patrice Noukeu did not play due to suspension.
Turkey
Galatasaray’s 1-0 win over Ankaragucu saw Rigobert Song start at centerback for the victors while Herve Zengue played in midfield for Ankaragucu. Souleymanou Hamidou was in goal as Denizlispor were surprisingly beaten 2-1 by Sebatspor.
Portugal
Albert Meyong had a good match coming in as a sub for Vitoria Setubal in the 46th minute of his club’s 1-0 loss to FC Porto. Yohanna Buba and Estoril struggled in their 1-0 loss to Vitoria Guimaraes. Rudolph Douala was given a rest by Sporting Lisbon after playing in a UEFA Cup match midweek. Douala has been experiencing some pain in his left adductor muscle so his club decided to give him the day off.
Greece
Guy Feutchine started at right back and missed a good chance to score in the 19th minute of his club PAOK Salonika’s 2-0 win over Skoda Xanthi. Pierre Ebede was in goal for Chalkidona as they were beaten 1-0 by AEK Athens.
By Martin COUTLER, martin@camfoot.com
