André Kana-Biyik: "Winning in Morocco was Exceptional"
Former Cameroonian defensive midfielder, André Kana-Biyik, was one of the key players in the Indomitable Lions team that won the 16th edition of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations in 1988 in Morocco.
As his country prepares to return to the kingdom for the 35th edition of the competition, which will take place from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026, the two-time African champion (1984 and 1988) believes they have the potential to replicate the feat, even though he acknowledges significant competition.
In an interview with CAFOnline, the elder of the Biyik brothers (André Kana-Biyik and François Omam Biyik) reflects on the atmosphere within their team during that remarkable journey and shares his views on the current version of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations.
CAFOnline.com: The draw for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 will take place on Monday in Rabat allowing Cameroon and the other qualified teams to learn their fate. Seeing the Indomitable Lions in Morocco must bring back a lot of memories for you?
André Kana-Biyik: Indeed, the fact that Cameroon is qualified for the AFCON in Morocco brings back many memories (laughs). First of all, I must say that it is a necessity for Cameroon to qualify for every Africa Cup of Nations because it is a leading country in African football. It also stirs up a lot of excitement and reminds me of a beautiful final victory against Nigeria, which brought the country its second title.
Can you describe the atmosphere following that memorable victory?
I can assure you that the atmosphere among the players, the staff, and the Cameroonian people was incredible—it was something extraordinary and a job well done. Apart from playing the semi-final against the host nation, Morocco, which came with a lot of tension (though not as overwhelming as it seemed), everything went perfectly.
A journey like that is usually full of surprises. What are some of the stories from that success or from the tournament that you’ll never forget?
There could be so many stories, we could write an entire book on it. I can simply tell you that the atmosphere within the Lions was really great. We went through the competition with a lot of confidence. We trusted our strength.
The stand out story I remember from this competition is the headbutt I gave to a Moroccan player in the semi-final. The next day, when we went to the market—I was with Mbouh Emile—I wore a Nigeria jersey. When the Moroccans asked us if we were Cameroonians, we said no and told them we were Nigerians instead (laughs). That was the kind of atmosphere we had.
Do you think Cameroon has a chance to repeat the feat on Moroccan soil? Who are the favourites for this tournament?
Yes, absolutely! Cameroon can definitely repeat the 1988 feat in Morocco. But it won’t be easy because there are other big teams to contend with. First, Morocco, as the host country and a World Cup semi-finalist, is one of the top favourites. There is also Egypt, Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria… It’s not going to be easy at all. All these countries, like Cameroon, have a good chance to win the Africa Cup of Nations.
You were part of the team alongside your younger brother, François Omam Biyik. What was it like playing in the same team as your brother and achieving success together?
Playing in the Indomitable Lions team with my younger brother François wasn’t really any different from the rest of the group. Yes, he’s my brother, but when it was time to work, I treated everyone the same way. It was still a pleasure, and I’d even say a privilege, to play alongside him, and I think it was the same for him. Truly, you have to experience it to understand—it was a magical moment.
What does winning the Africa Cup of Nations represent in the career of an African footballer?
Winning the Africa Cup of Nations means so much. First and foremost, it’s about representing your country and bringing the trophy home—it’s a very powerful feeling. When you have an entire country behind you and you return with the trophy, those are unforgettable moments. It’s the greatest gift a player can give to their country. Winning, for me, was exceptional.