Ex-Cameroonian midfielder and once member of Cameroon national football team: Theophile Abega passes away at an age of 58. He was rewarded African footballer of the year title back in 1984. He also captained Indomitable Lions and took them to their first title’s win almost three decades ago. Cameroon Football Federation issued a statement on Thursday mentioning his death, however; it did not comment the reason of his death, but according to some reports, he died coz of a heart attack. The highest achievement of Abega was first African Nations Cup title win in 1984 by Cameroon under his captaincy. He also scored in the final clash with Nigeria in Abidjan and secured in 3-1 title win. Moreover, he played all the three Cameroon finals in 1982 World Cup finals in Spain, which was the first world cup appearance by a Cameroon team in world cup. He was unarguably the best soccer talent coming out of Cameroon or even from Africa until date. His death ended a whole era of African soccer dominance which was earlier considered as underdogs.
Yaoundé side, that he captained, won as many as four national championships, two African Club Cup Championships, five Cameroon Cup trophies, and one African Cup Winners’ Cup back in 1978. It was not the end of his striking soccer career, coz he then moved to France where he played for Toulouse for one season. By this time, he had emerged an eagerness to join the politics; hence he left his soccer career in 1987 and joined politics. Though, he served as president of his club Canon for some time after his retirement. In politics too he made his name; perhaps he fought elections on Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement ticket and became mayor of Younde IV in a 2002, the post which he held until his demise.
He was considered one of the best soccer talents as far passes and finishes are concerned, and for his unique skills; he was named as doctor coz his passes were so clinical. For now, whole Africa is mourning its legend’s demise and probably he will ever be an icon for African nations. Frankly speaking, he was the last African legend to witness by the soccer world, after him, there is no real soccer talent came out from African region. Anyhow, his kind of legends live only once for a while, may his soul rests in peace.