Cameroon still looking for“Marco's” successor

Thirteen years after the tragic death of the former midfielder of the national football team, the den is sorely lacking a charismatic leader.

Between wars of clans and generation, the national team seems to have lost its helm.

Many people have tried to describe what Marc-Vivien Foe was in the Indomitable Lions. The armband, object of desire and of all controversies today in the den, had never been a problem ti him. For the imposing midfielder of the 4 times African Champions, it was the colors of the flag and the honor of the fatherland that came first.

Tall, quiet, gentle, kind, respectful to all people who knew him from near and far, one that was eventually dubbed “the wise” of the national team of Cameroon was respected and admired by all. Renowned footballer, Marc-Vivien practiced his art with nobility.

He was not fan of conflict or clans as are today, these young pretenders to the treacherous throne; he was not a follower of influence peddling and star mania in which have turned many of his former teammates.

Marco was a unifier, authoritarian and hardworking footballer; a model, an example to follow like no other one in the national eleven. One would think he left with these exceptional qualities.

Clan Wars

The day after his death, many had thought Valéry Mézague whose technical knowledge and the unifying nature compelled admiration, was the to be the successor to perfection. But the young player of Montpellier could not follow in the footsteps and represent his idol.

Shaken by traffic accidents and then operated repeatedly, the athletic Indomitable Lion finally on November 15, 2014, was found dead in his room. A painful loss for fans of football who had no news of the former FC Sochaux midfielder.

At one time, many thought that Eto’o or Stéphane Mbia would make good successors to Foe. But the service records of the two Lions, evacuated this probability.

Accused rightly or wrongly of rotting the den, to feeding the clan with war, leaving some thrive battle of leadership and above all, to imposing such or such to the coach, the former Pichichi and current captain more or less suspended or removed from the pennant selection, never had the legitimacy.

Nicolas Anouldji, Pierre Wome, Alexandre Song and Co. all toasted their fuse. Ultimately, Marco remains irreplaceable.

A Lion is Dead

He fell on the battlefield when Cameroon still expected a lot from him. His last big match was held on 26 June 2003 at the semifinal Cameroon VS Colombia. At the 72th minute, he collapsed in the center circle without warning.

It is the Colombian Jairo Patino who gave a warning rushing to the Cameroonian international who has just lost consciousness. Help arrived shortly after to help initially breathing. The player was taken to the medical center of the stadium to undergo a cardiac massage.

But in vain. Around 8:30 PM the doctor of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), Alfred Müller, announced his death. His heart stopped on arrival at the medical block. The cause of death was not clear.

They had to an autopsy and carried the body to the hospital. But already, several questions arised as to the physical conditions of Marc-Vivien Foe and first aid which was provided to him.

In recent days, it was revealed that the footballer suffered from several health problems. He would had blood and urine tests. A source close to the player evoked a dysentery problem, the day before the match.

Value

Spotted very early in his college Sacré Cœur in Makak, Marc-Vivien Foe first evolved in Canon Yaounde where he was spotted by two French clubs Lens and Auxerre. He finally chose the Lens club from 1994 to 1998. He then moved to the English club West Ham for a year.

In 2000 he returned to France and joined Olympique Lyon where he won the French League Cup in 2001. Loaned to Manchester City since 2002, the International would’ve probably return to Lyon. One will retain of him, the image of a man who favored the language of the eyes than speech.

Little verbose, this athlete of 1.90m clashed with a peaceful and posed approach. Modest, this great player had a habit of saying “before being great, you have to be small.” A value that his young Indomitable Lions seem to trample on today.