Following the international break, club competitions have resumed across various leagues, with several Cameroonian footballers making headlines.
On Monday, September 16, 2024, Salomon Charles Bienvenue Banga and his team, Al Shorta, played host to Al Nassr Riyadh in Baghdad for an AFC Champions League clash. Despite the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, who was reportedly sidelined due to illness, the game ended in a 1-1 draw. Banga, who put in a strong defensive display against Sadio Mané, made multiple crucial interventions, though he also made some mistakes in distribution. After the game, Sadio Mané honored Banga by giving him his jersey, a gesture highlighting the respect between the two players. Al Shorta’s next match in the tournament is set for October 1, where they will face Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, led by Neymar Junior.
Meanwhile, on the American continent, Brian Anunga continues to impress. The defensive midfielder, who plays for Nashville SC in Major League Soccer (MLS), was pivotal in his team’s 2-0 victory over Atlanta United on Sunday in the 28th round of the MLS. Anunga, who started the match, earned one of the highest ratings, contributing significantly to Nashville’s performance.
Back in Turkey, Vincent Aboubakar made his return to the pitch with Hatayspor in the Turkish Süper Lig. Having recently parted ways with Besiktas, the 2017 African Cup of Nations winner joined Hatayspor, reuniting with fellow Cameroonian Guy Marcelin Kilama. Both players featured in Hatayspor’s goalless draw against Alanyaspor in the 5th round of the Turkish league. Currently sitting in 18th place, Hatayspor will be looking to Aboubakar’s leadership and goal-scoring prowess to help them climb out of the relegation zone.
These performances underline the influence of Cameroonian players across global leagues, from Asia to America and Europe. As the season progresses, fans will be eagerly watching to see how these talented athletes continue to represent their country on the world stage.