Cameroonian legends reflect on Total CHAN 2020
Cameroon is living on the rhythm of the Total African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2020, with the tournament designed exclusively for local based footballers being the town talk everywhere in the central African country.
Cameroonian legends who defended the Indomitable Lions jersey are no different, and they spoke to CAFOnline.com about the ongoing CHAN.
Songo’o: A very good technical level
Jacques Songo’o achieved everything with the Indomitable Lions from 1984 to 2002. The legendary goalkeeper won the prestigious Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title three times, in 1984, 1988 and 2002 and is considered one of Cameroon’s all-time legends.
Starting between posts of local giants Canon Yaoundé, Songo’o had an illustrious career including spells with French sides Toulon, Le Mans and Metz. But the highlight of his career was with Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna, whom he guided to a historic La Liga title in the 1999-2000 season.
"We saw some very good matches in the first round of CHAN," Songo’o told Cafonline.com. "No team qualified after the first two matchdays and we had to wait until the last moments to find out who qualified. This confirms that the level was very good, despite that many countries had their local competitions halted because of the pandemic.”
Songo’o, who currently works as a part of the Indomitable Lions technical staff, believes that the level of domestic African players has evolved. "We have seen a number of outstanding players. They at least deserve to play in big leagues, but they still have to work and progress,” he concluded.
Maboang: CHAN is a success, AFCON to follow
Emmanuel Maboang Kessack was a part of the Indomitable Lions squad that wrote history in the 1990 FIFA World Cup, when Cameroon became the first ever African team to reach the Mundial quarterfinals.
Maboang also played in the 1994 FIFA World Cup, and in general scored 4 goals in 12 caps with Cameroon between 1990 and 1995. Like Sondo’o, he started his career with Canon Yaoundé before playing in Portugal for Portimonense and Rio Ave.
“Cameroon has facilities of international standards, new stadiums and luxury hotels. All of this means that we have the means to organize a good tournament in this Total CHAN," Maboang told CAFOnline.com.
“The success of CHAN comes just a year before the Total AFCON. This allows us to believe that an even better tournament awaits in 2022, with more teams and better atmosphere," he added.
The former 1990 star, who became a coach of youth categories upon his retirement, also indicated that Cameroon will still work for the organization of major sporting events after the success of this CHAN. “We saw a good tournament with great football, good organization skills and a great show in the stands. I can say that Cameroon is ready for major events, and in particular Total AFCON in 2022,” he concluded.
Omam-Biyik: CHAN is growing better with time
He scored one of the most memorable goals in the history of African football, when his header guided the Indomitable Lions to a famous 1-0 victory over Diego Maradona led Argentina in the opening match of the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy.
François Omam-Biyik is undoubtedly one of the deadliest strikers in African football, with 26 goals in 73 Cameroon caps. He started his career with Canon Yaoundé, a career that saw him playing for numerous clubs in France, Mexico and Italy. He won the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations and represented the Indomitable Lions in 3 FIFA World Cup editions (1990, 1994 and 1998).
Omam-Biyk, who works now as Cameroon senior national team assistant coach to Toni Conceiçao, said he was surprised by the level of the players during this CHAN despite the pandemic, and despite the halt of competitions in different parts of Africa.
“We saw good matches of a very acceptable level” Omam-Biyik told CAFOnline.com. “Despite the fact that the tournament only concerns local players, and despite the Coronavirus pandemic, we saw a very good technical level. Several players will certainly have the opportunity to go elsewhere in the major leagues after this tournament. "
The lethal striker noted that Cameroon has succeeded in a tough challenge with a good organization of CHAN. “Cameroon has been able to live up to the organization. It is now up to us to work even harder and correct the errors of this CHAN to succeed in the next major tournament in less than a year; the 2021 AFCON,” he concluded.