Jeremie Njock debuted with his new club in Belgium and scored two goals last weekend. In the Swiss Cup, Jean Michel Tchouga also scored twice while in league play Samuel Eto’o and Pierre Webo in Spain and Albert Meyong in Portugal scored.
Belgium
Jeremie Njock had not previously been able to play with Mons, his new club in Belgium, because his international pass had not arrived from his old club Universitatea Craiova in Romania. Last month Mons had exercised a buyout clause in Njock’s contract with Universitaea but the Romanian club were not happy to see him leave so they delayed sending his pass to Mons until the Belgium club went to FIFA and forced Universitatea to send it along.
Last weekend the tall forward (1.95m) finally made his debut with Mons and it was a complete success. Njock scored two goals as Mons defeated Lierse 4-1 in the Belgian Jupiler League. Njock scored on a header in the 14th minute and followed up with a second goal in the 63rd. Due to the heavy rain last weekend in Belgium the game was played on a field which was filled with mud but despite the bad conditions Njock was able to show his speed and power in the game. Mons often used him as a central pivot and had players run off him as the Cameroonian would either flick passes on to them with his head or feet. But as his two goals demonstrated he also showed good finishing skills when around the net.
Having a less successful day in Belgium was midfielder Patrice Noukeu who started in midfield for Mouscron in their 2-2 tie with Beveren. Noukeu picked up a yellow card in the 76th minute for rough play and saw red as he received a second yellow in the 89th. Due to the heavy rain, the Standard Liege v Racing Genk and St. Trond v La Gantoise matches, which could have involved Cameroonian players, were postponed until later in the month.
Switzerland
Football returned to Switzerland after a two month winter break with the quarterfinals of the Swiss Cup and several Cameroonians were in action. Forward Jean Michel Tchouga of 2nd Division FC Luzern grabbed the headlines by scoring twice in his club’s 4-0 win over Chiasso. Tchouga scored on a header and later via a penalty kick. Entering as a sub in midfield at the start of the second half for Chiasso was former Lions espoirs (U-23) player Francis Ze. Midfielder Augustine Simo started as his club Aarau beat St. Gallen 4-3. Armand Deumi started in central defense for FC Thun but they were defeated 2-0 by Young Boys Berne. Also playing in central defense was Jean Francois Bell, whose proposed transfer to Germany’s Arminia Bielefeld fell through during the winter break. Bell played for his club Bellinzona as they were beaten 2-0 by FC Zurich.
Spain
In Spain, Barcelona regained their winning form with a convincing 4-1 win at Zaragoza. Samuel Eto’o played a key role in their victory as he beat the offside trap after a wonderful through ball from Ronaldinho and squared the ball over for Ludovic Giuly to score the club’s 2nd goal of the match. In the 38th minute, Ronaldinho again sprung Eto’o, who beat the offside trap, and alone on the keeper the newly crowned two time African Player of the Year lifted the ball over the Zaragoza goalie then rounded him and tapped the ball into the empty net for his 17th goal of the league season. Eto’o came close on several other opportunities to add to his goal total but did not convert. Nevertheless, Ronaldinho and Eto’o were the main reasons Barcelona won so easily at the always difficult La Romareda Stadium in Zaragoza.
Carlos Kameni and Espanyol recovered from their recent losing streak to record a 2-0 victory over Getafe. Kameni made a few key stops late in the match to preserve the win for the city of Barcelona’s « other » team. Coming in as a substitute at withdrawn forward for Getafe in the 57th minute was Daniel Ngome kome, whose speed helped kick start what had previously been a punchless Getafe team.
Portugal
In Portugal, Albert Meyong started at forward for Vitoria Setubal and scored his club’s only goal via a penalty kick in the 19th minute of their 1-1 draw with Beira Mar. Meyong was subbed out after 81 minutes but while playing his speed was a constant threat for Beira Mar’s defense. With the penalty kick goal, Meyong now has 6 league goals this season. Centerback Yohanna Buba had less luck as both he and his Estoril teammates had a difficult time of it as Belenenses won 3-0.
England
In English Premier League play over the weekend Eric Djemba Djemba gave an industrious performance in midfield as Aston Villa defeated Portsmouth 2-1. Right back Lauren Etame also played his usual steady game as Arsenal easily defeated London rivals Crystal Palace 5-1. Forward Joseph Desire Job had trouble finishing and was subbed out after 67 minutes as Middlesbrough and Bolton played out a scoreless draw. Over the weekend a few FA Cup matches were also played and Timothee Atouba started at left back as Tottenham beat West Brom 3-1. Despite the win Atouba had some defensive difficulties on the day. In England’s version of a Second Division, Matthias Doumbe started at cenetrback for Plymouth as they drew 1-1 with Rotherham.
Scotland
In Scotland, Gustave Bahoken played left wing back for Livingston as they remained on the bottom of the Scottish Premier League after losing 2-0 to Dundee United.
France
Italy
In Serie A, Pierre Wome started at left wing back for the 2nd consecutive week and played a solid match as Brescia defeated Cagliari 2-0. Wome’s inswinging corner kick was eventually knocked into the net, after a scramble in front of goal, for Brescia’s opening goal. None of Cameroon’s players in Serie B played this past weekend.
Greece
Former Indomitable Lion Ngassam Nana Falemi made his debut over the weekend for his new Greek club Ergotelis, coming on as a sub at defensive midfield in the 66th minute of Ergotelis’ 1-1 draw with Aris Salonika. The always rugged Falemi had time to pick up a yellow card in the match. On the opposing side were two Cameroonians starting for Aris. Samuel Inogue played at left side midfield and set up Aris’ goal before being subbed out in the 80th minute. Dorge Kouemaha started at forward and nearly scored in the 11th minute. Joel Epalle started at right side midfield as Iraklis won their Salonika derby 1-0 over PAOK. Guy Feutchine remains injured for PAOK. Epalle had a rough time of it as his crosses were not the most accurate on the day and he was eventually substituted after 87 minutes. Midfielder Jean Denis Ouanga came on as a sub in the 57th minute for Kallithea as they defeated Chalkidona 3-1 Goalkeeepr Pierre Ebede did not play for Chalkidona.
Turkey
Rigobert Song had another strong performance at centerback as Galatasaray remained in 2nd place in the league after beating Rizespor 3-0. Souleymanou Hamidou did not have as enjoyable an afternoon as he was in goal as Denizlispor were beaten 2-0 by Besiktas. Alioum Saidou started in midfield for Malatyaspor but they lost 3-0 to Trabzonspor. Forward Jean Emmanuel Effa Owona came on as a sub for Ankaragucu in the 73rd minute of their 2-2 draw with Kayserispor.
Germany
In the German Bundesliga, Raymond Kalla played pretty well at centerback for Bochum but it was not enough as his team were beaten 1-0 by neighbors Borussia Dortmund and fell further into the relegation zone. Bill Tchato came on as a defensive sub in the 67th minute for Kaiserslautern in their 2-1 victory over Hansa Rostock.
In Bundesliga 2, Francis Kioyo started at forward and played a solid match as Rot Weiss Essen beat Duisburg 1-0. Cyrille Florent Bella entered in the 61st minute as a sub at attacking midfield for LR Ahlen in their 2-1 loss to Aue. Daniel Wansi also entered as a sub at forward coming on in the 83rd minute of Dynamo Dresden’s 2-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt.
Israel
In Israel Emile Mbamba started at forward for Maccabi Tel Aviv as they inflicted the first league defeat on league leaders Maccabi Haifa 1-0. In the 19th minute Mbamba flciked the ball inside the penalty area to a teammate who scored the only goal of the match. The Cameroonian forward also had several opportunities to score himself but was denied by some good stops from Haifa’s goalie. Mbamba left the match after 72 minutes and it is hoped his good play will see him return regularly as a starter.
