With the transfer market in full swing, a number of Cameroonian footballers are currently out of work. SNA has compiled a list of the top players without a contract. Fabrice Olinga, the one time future Eto'o, is unemployed
Fabrice Olinga, the future Samuel Eto'o is unemployed.
After a season and a half at FK Auda, Fabrice Ondoa (27) has decided to leave the Latvian club. The Cameroonian goalkeeper, the 2017 African champion and best goalkeeper in the competition, played 47 matches in all competitions, winning the national cup. This is the first major trophy in the history of the club, which will be taking part in the UEFA Conference League this year. No news on his next destination as yet.
Defenders: a trio of Oyongo, Banana and Teikeu
In defence, three players stand out.The first is Ambroise Oyongo Bitolo, the 31-year-old full-back who has not found a club since leaving Montpellier in August 2022.In recent days he has been rumoured to be heading for Egypt. Alongside him is Yaya Banana. After a period of inactivity between 2019 and 2021, he had the opportunity to relaunch his career in India, but after playing just five games for Bengaluru last season, he is once again without a club.
The third free Cameroon defender is Adolphe Teikeu. He arrived at Caen as a free agent in November 2021, having completed his two-year contract with the French club. A regular in Ligue 2 (11 games) and Nationale 2 (7 games), he is said to be on the verge of a move to Saudi Arabia.
Midfielders: Stéphane Mbia still hoping. Without a club since terminating his contract with Tuzlaspor in Turkey's second division in 2022, Stéphane Mbia (37) has no intention of putting his boots away. And according to the latest news, the ex-Marseille man has been linked with a move to Italy. Like him, Georges Mandjeck is considering continuing his career. Having reached the end of his contract with Cypriot club Nea Salamis after one season, the 34-year-old midfielder (34 appearances in all competitions) has offers in India and Saudi Arabia.
The future looks less bright for Gaël Ondoua. Despite taking part in the World Cup in Qatar in November-December 2022, he has not managed to change his situation. Having spent a virtually inactive season (2 games played) with Hannover in Germany's second division, the 27-year-old midfielder is likely to struggle to convince a club to take him on.
Strikers: Olinga and Ayuk on a dip
Four strikers stand out in our Cameroonian free-scoring team. Among them is Fabrice Olinga. Touted at the start as a worthy successor to Samuel Eto'o, the 27-year-old has disappointed year on year. With just 7 goals in his entire professional career, which began in 2012, he has not played since the end of his stay at Rio Ave in Portugal in May 2022. Eric Ayuk Mbu is no better. The former Ankaraspor player (26) has played just 3 games since October 2021.
Georges-Kevin Nkoudou has not been helped by the arrival of Vincent Aboubakar at Besiktas in January 2023. A frequent starter (13), he was immediately relegated to the bench, playing just eight games in all competitions during the second half of the season. Scorer of 4 league goals, he was not selected by the Black Eagles.
Etienne Eto'o (23) is in a similar situation. Scorer of 4 goals in 21 games with UD Poblense in Spain's fifth division, the son of the President of Fécafoot is keeping his fingers crossed.
