Aboubakar Vincent, the “savior” captain of the Cameroon national team

He is ” the darling of the city », « the idol », « the providential man », « the indomitable lion “unstoppable” »… In Garoua, capital of the northern region of Cameroon where he is from, Vincent Aboubakar, captain of the national football team, is adored. It is enough to pronounce his name in a crowded market or a crossroads for passers-by, men, women and children, to jostle to speak. There are those who claim to have met “ this man so simple and always ready to help “. Those, like those football-loving schoolchildren, who would like to play tomorrow like Aboubakar ” or even these players of local clubs who “ apply his very good advice to perform well in the field”.

“He is the perfect example of the young person who came from nothing and honestly succeeded through a transparent journey and hard work”, underlines Ousmaila Souleymanou, 27, met in a restaurant in the Bibémiré district. “He is loved because he is the big brother who fights without ever being discouraged, ensures for his part Ibrahim Halil, young footballer of the second division. We are all witnesses of its evolution. Despite the difficulties he has encountered, his many injuries, he gets up every time. For me, he is the example to follow. He is our captain, our saviour. »

Sunday, January 9, during the opening match of the African Cup of Nations (CAN) football at the Olembé stadium in Yaoundé, Vincent Aboubakar scored two goals from the penalty spot, allowing Cameroon to beat Burkina Faso (2-1). Three days later, the Indomitable Lions defeated the Ethiopians with a score of four goals to one. Again with a double of “Abou”. A big victory that allowed Cameroon to be the first country to qualify for the round of 16.

Best striker

With four goals, the 29-year-old striker is currently CAN’s top scorer. On social networks, the thanks never end. Some Internet users have changed their profile picture and their name in tribute to the “capi” who now plays for first division club Al-Nassr Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

” He has the ability to make a difference on the pitch. He is very talented and charismatic. He was always determined. He has loved football since the age of 6! », explains Michel Dior, the older brother of Vincent Aboubakar. At the time, little Vincent played goalkeeper in the streets of the Roumdé Adjia district, in Garoua. The family pays little attention to it, convinced that like most Cameroonian kids, “he won’t go far and will end up giving up”, remembers his eldest. Instead, he is urged to concentrate on his studies.

But, very quickly, “Abou” is noticed by a coach who makes him participate in several tournaments between neighborhoods. His attacking talent dazzles the spectators. He participated in the early 2000s with the team of his district at the regional “Coupe Top”, a competition organized by the Brasseries du Cameroun.

It was on this occasion that Alain Kada Djibrilla, at the time a sports educator and talent scout, noticed him, “Impressed by his technical ease”. ” I see a kid who stands out. He could eliminate three players easily says the current coordinator of the Coton Sport training center in Garoua, a famous Cameroonian first division club, which ended up recruiting Vincent Aboubakar in the junior team in 2006. His talent ” early propelled him to the club’s first team. Leaders hail his “ hard work », « his concentration », “his technical skills”.

“Great Discipline”

“ He did impressive things like drop shots and volleys. He did this several times a day. This struck me recalls Bouba Lenta, manager of Coton Sport in Garoua. Bouba Oussoumanou, director of the sports complex, has not forgotten “his immense calm in front of goal or during actions on the pitch”. “It’s his strong point: Vincent does whatever he wants with the ball”, smiles the former player and captain of Coton who praises “especially his great discipline”. ” Aboubakar woke up at 5 a.m. to go train alone. While we were running after the women or in the bili-bili bars [bières artisanales], he spent his free time training again and again,” still surprised Etienne Ngombe, his childhood friend.

This hard work eventually pays off. Vincent Aboubakar is called up to the national cadet team and even goes to Spain, to the Real Valladolid club, which wishes to hire him. “The trial is conclusive, but the leaders of Coton Sport think it’s too early. We couldn’t sell off such talent.”, says Mr. Djibrilla. In 2010, it was the big leap: called up to the national team at 18, he took part in the World Cup in South Africa. Shortly after, he was recruited by the Valenciennes club in France. He will play alternately in Lorient, Porto (Portugal) and Besikas, Turkey. In 2017, at the CAN final in Gabon, he scored the liberating goal against Egypt, which allowed Cameroon to win its fifth African Cup of Nations.

But, for many, Vincent Aboubakar did not have the career he deserved, that of Samuel Eto’o or even Patrick Mboma. “There is the luck factor, but also these injuries which kept him away from stadiums or CAN 2019. But I will not be surprised to see him return to Europe. He has not finished showing us the extent of his immense talent., assures Alain Kada Djibrilla. An opinion shared by Hervé Ngomo, a young footballer from Coton Sport de Garoua who was called up to the national team in 2021 for a qualifying match. According to him, he was “touched by the humility of Aboubakar and his abnegation” : “ When I arrived he said to me: “If you’re here, it’s because you deserve it. Work !” He showed me the example. He continues to train very hard. This is its strength. »