MTN Elite I Club, Fovu of Baham have conscripted Salifou Aboubakar, a Cameroonian defender who plays for Thailand club, Port Authority, Bangkok.
18-year-old Aboubakar ended the 2008 football season in Thailand as the best defender and is edgy to try his luck in Europe.Given that the last transfer window has closed, his agent, Fernand Taninche, decided to pave his (Aboubakar’s) way to Fovu of Baham where he will have to showcase professionalism and talent while waiting for the January transfer window to open.
Talking to The Post on the transfer deal, Taninche said, « I have agreed with Augustin Kontchou the club’s Administrative Director and Kamdem, the President, on certain modalities before the signing. After his Fovu contract, I will then take him to a renowned European club. I don’t want to hurry and get into the hands of some manipulative and ungrateful clubs. »
As for Alexandre Belinga and Justin Kamgaing, team coach and assistant respectively, Aboubakar’s signing is a blessing for Fovu. They said: « Aboubarkar has come to boost the moral of the other players who are yet to experience professional football. » The coaches also thanked the team’s Administrative Director for the gesture.
Aboubarkar, on his part, told The Post: « I have not played any championship in Cameroon and this is the golden opportunity. I played for the Union Football School before going professional. I have played for Ports Authority for two seasons. »
It is alleged that Fovu hurriedly contacted this player because of the scramble by other MTN Elite I clubs who are poised to go international next football season.The lanky and resilient defender joins Fovu at a time when Cameroon Football Federation, FECAFOOT, is striving to professionalise the nation’s soccer.
Fovu, like most other MTN Elite I clubs, are gearing up to pick an international ticket come next football season, to make Cameroon proud like last year’s champions and Cameroon flag bearers, Cotonsport of Garoua.
Cotonsport has benefited financially and has also brought joy to the nation by reaching the semi final stage of the prestigious African Champions League.Cameroon has suffered for 27 years with no continental trophy. The last time a Cameroonian club won a trophy was in 1980, when Canon of Yaoundé won the African Champions League title.
Fovu of Baham, it should be recalled, was founded in 1978. The club from the West Province emerged as league leaders in 2000. They were the National Challenge Cup and the Roger Milla Super Cup winners in 2001.
At the international level, Fovu was eliminated at the first round of the 2001African Champions League and in 2002; they were shown the door at the second round of the CAF Confederations Cup.
Fovu has also produced some star players in the likes of Marcus Mokake and Benoit Angbwa who have engraved their names in the Lions den.
By Innocent Mbunwe
