A Cameroonian Revival?

Is a Cameroonian revival about to happen? A long term, sustainable revival?

 

What may well prove to be Samuel Eto'o Fils' enduring legacy at FC Barcelona is looking set to underline a possible long term revival of one of Africa's greatest international footballing sides, the 'Indomitable Lions' of Cameroon.

 

I refer here to the fruits of an agreement Eto'o signed with the club to bring through the best talents from the Eto'o Foundation to the La Masia Academy

Three players currently headline some of the initial success of this agreement and are highlighted in our player focus for this month.

The first player is Frank Bagnack, a center-back who has impressed at preseason, with strong assured performances. Fast, powerful aerially and strong on the tackle, he also has the ability to bring the ball out of defence in the Barca tradition. A recent poll by Mundo Deportivo found that 61% of the fans thought he was ready for the first team!

The second player is Jean-Marie Dongou, a central striker who has often been hailed as the next big thing from La Masia. He emerged joint top scorer in the UEFA NextGen competition even while playing above his age bracket, and at some point in preseason, was the second highest scorer behind Messi!

The third player and around whom there is often great excitement at Barcelona is goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa, rated as the best at the academy and seeing as a long term replacement for the departing Victor Valdes. In the typical mold of some of the great African keepers, Ondoa stands over 6ft and still growing, being 17 years, physically strong and agile, and a great penalty stopper. He brings the added quality of very good feet, and is able to pass the ball out of the goal with comfort and accuracy.

Both Ondoa and Dongou are already in the national team frame.

 

In addition to these are Olivier Moussima and Wilfrid Kaptoum who have recently been signed for the Academy.

Added to these players is Fabrice Fokobo Atud, a central midfielder from the fames Sporting Lisbon academy who has just broken into the first team. His favoured position is defensive midfield but he also plays in central defence.

Fokobo continues the long tradition of great Cameroonian central midfielders, like Theophile Abega and of course the late Marc Vivien Foe. His major strengths are his technique dominant physical presence, with a game that mirrors Michael Essien's....

 

In my opinion its time for Cameroon to begin to make a transition to this new generation of players, anchored around established players like Alex Song and Nkoulou. The one advantage it has over neighbors Nigeria, is the increasing emergence of very talented young players in top European teams. An enduring revival could be predicated on the ability to press this advantage.