Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is looking to swap Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic with Inter Milan’s goalkeeper Andre Onana over the summer. The Blues are impressed by the development of the Cameroonian goalkeeper, who is set to play the Champions League final against Manchester City.

According to the reports from Inter Live, the Blues are optimistic about landing the Inter Milan goalkeeper. The hierarchy has expressed displeasure on Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy’s inconsistencies. Hence, they are looking for a fresh face in the middle of the sticks.

Onana has been linked with a £40m move to Chelsea. However, the transfer is not in advanced stages, as it emerged before the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as manager. The board feels that a signing before the official appointment of a manager could bring a conflict of interest between them and the manager. Hence, they hope to receive the green light from the former Tottenham Hotspur manager.

Despite involving Kovacic in the deal, the Blues are also looking to bolster their midfield options for next season. There are links with Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo as partners for Enzo Fernandez in the middle of the park. However, Boehly’s main priority is reducing the club’s wage bill.

Chelsea have had a horrific 2022-23 season, as they are on course to finish outside the top 10 in the Premier League for the first time this century. Manchester City also knocked them out of the FA Cup and League Cup, respectively. Lastly, they lost to Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals. Now, the board hopes to right the wrongs of last summer and have better options to compete next season.

Source: Clutch points

Arsenal defender William Saliba has returned to his roots visiting Cameroon during his injury recovery.

The France international opted to represent the country of his birth despite his mother hailing from Cameroon.

He is currently in the African country and took the opportunity to visit iconic striker Samuel Eto’o at his FECAFOOT office.

In photos shared on social media, the Arsenal star was also spotted having a good time with his family in Yaoundé as he enjoyed the local delicacies.

Saliba has been out with injury since March and his absence seems to have cost Arsenal the title after losing grip of their place at the top of the table.

The France defender will be out for the rest of the season, as reported by Metro.

His performances, however, have guaranteed the Gunners a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League as Arsenal are set to finish the season in the top two positions.

Saliba has been a completely transformed player since returning to London at the start of the season following the end of his loan at Olympique Marseille.

Source: Sportsbrief

Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou of Cameroon signed up Tuesday with the PFL, a rival American organization, allowing him, according to the league, to fight in English boxing, as he wanted, and in mixed martial arts, his favorite discipline.

Four months ago, Ngannou, 36, then a heavyweight belt holder, stormed out of the UFC, MMA’s most powerful league, amid disagreements over his compensation and that of other fighters in the organization.

He seems to have obtained the guarantees he wanted in the PFL, a more confidential organization but one that has multiplied its media blows in recent weeks to emerge in the landscape of the various MMA leagues.

With the PFL, Ngannou will, according to the New York Times, compete in an English boxing match in 2023, and will return to fight in MMA in his new league in 2024.

He also becomes a member of the organization’s Advisory Board to represent the interests of the fighters, and president of its African branch with the mission of detecting new fighters and organizing events in 2025 on the continent.

Neither the length nor the amount of the contract was disclosed by Ngannou or the PFL, but “everything in my agreement with the PFL is more than any other offer,” Ngannou was quoted by the New York Times as saying. The PFL, in turn, boasted on its Instagram account that it had made “the most expensive and biggest signing in MMA history.”

In addition to Ngannou, the PFL has announced other high-profile signings in recent weeks with that of influencer and fighter Jake Paul, French fighter Cedric Doumbé, while former Olympic judo champion Kayla Harrison is currently the figurehead.

None of Ngannou’s upcoming fights have been scheduled yet.

Source: Africa News

According to NapoliCalcioLive, Tottenham Hotspur are considering a move for talented Napoli and Cameroon midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa.

The 27-year-old has established himself as an integral part of Luciano Spalletti’s team since his move from Fulham. Anguissa has played a crucial role in Napoli’s success this season, helping them clinch the league title and reach the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are closely monitoring Anguissa’s progress and could potentially make significant offers for him in the upcoming weeks. However, it remains to be seen whether Napoli is willing to part ways with the talented midfielder.

Having signed a contract that runs until 2025, Napoli hold a strong position and are under no obligation to sell Anguissa. The decision ultimately rests with the club, who will weigh the potential financial gain against the player’s value on the field.

For Tottenham Hotspur, bolstering their central midfield is a pressing need, and Anguissa’s technical abilities and physical attributes make him an intriguing prospect for the Premier League.

While the destination of the 27-year-old midfielder is uncertain, it is worth considering the circumstances surrounding the potential move. Napoli will be participating in the prestigious Champions League next season, which may make it less likely for Anguissa to join a club like Tottenham.

In this regard, a move to Manchester United seems more plausible, especially as the Red Devils are closing in on securing Champions League qualification. The allure of playing in Europe’s elite competition could be a deciding factor.

The potential acquisition of Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa would undoubtedly strengthen Tottenham Hotspur’s midfield and enhance their prospects for the upcoming season. His skill set and experience gained at both Napoli and Fulham make him a valuable asset.

Negotiations between the clubs and the player’s preferences will ultimately determine the outcome of this potential move. It remains to be seen whether Tottenham Hotspur can convince Anguissa to join their ranks.

Source: tothelaneand

Cameroonian goalkeeper, Andre Onana has set a new record as Inter Milan goalkeeper in the UEFA Champions League.

The former Ajax shot-stopper became the first Inter goalkeeper to keep seven (the most) clean sheets in a single season in the elite European competition.

Onana has also made the most saves in the competition, and the Nerazurris are on course to reaching the final of the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 2010.

According to Squawka, the Cameroonian holds the record beating goalkeepers Julio Caesar and Toldo in terms of clean sheets in a single season.

Meanwhile, quick-fire goals from Edin Dzeko and Henrik Mikhytaryan give Inter a two-goal advantage heading into the second leg next week at the San Siro.

“Great result, but job not finished yet. We still have a lot ahead. Forza Inter,” wrote the former Cameroon goalkeeper on Twitter after the match.

Onana joined Inter Milan on a free transfer last summer after leaving Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam.

He has since become an integral figure at San Siro as the Nerazurris chase European glory.

Eto’o meets Leao and Ibrahimovic

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Inter Milan legend, Samuel Eto’o, was given a warm welcome at the San Siro following his return to Italy, where he made history with the Nerazurris.

The Cameroon Football Federation president was in Milan for the UEFA Champions League semi-final clash between his former club and eternal rivals AC Milan.

Early first half goals from Eden Dzeko and Henrik Mikhytaryan ensured the blue side of Milan head into the second leg with the advantage.

Eto’o watches Inter play AC Milan in UCL

Legendary African footballer, Samuel Eto’o was joined by former Inter Milan and AC Milan stars for the UEFA Champions League semi-final between the two Italian giants at the San Siro Stadium.

Eto’o, a legend of Inter Milan, was also working as a pundit for the big encounter as his former club hoped to make the final for the first time since 2010, when the Cameroonian led them to an unprecedented treble.

The Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) president remains the only player to win back-to-back trebles with two different clubs, achieving the feat in 2009 with Barcelona and 2010 with the Nerazzurri.

Source: Sportsbrief

Mexico has scheduled a friendly against Cameroon on June 10 at San Diego’s SnapDragon Stadium — El Tri’s first match in the venue that opened in August of 2022.

Ahead of a busy summer that includes the CONCACAF Nations League finals and the 2023 Gold Cup, the friendly vs. Cameroon will serve as a final preparation for Mexico and new manager Diego Cocca.

After the friendly in San Diego, Mexico will then travel to Las Vegas to take on the United States in a CONCACAF Nations League semifinal at Allegiant Stadium on June 15.

Source: ESPN

The president of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT), Samuel Eto’o has disclosed plans to construct 12 stadiums across the country.

Eto’o disclosed the motive behind the massive construction of football facilities was to ‘give everyone an opportunity’.

The former FC Barcelona striker was voted in as the president of Cameroon’s FA in December 2021 and helped ensure the Indomitable Lions qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Eto’o has now promised that stadiums will be built across several Cameroonian cities in a bid to hunt for more football talent.

Actu Cameroun reports the project is about to begin with the implementation phase already on course.

Eto’o believes that talent is often hidden in areas where quality sports infrastructure is non-existent.

Source: Sportsbrief

Former Cameroon captain Stephane Mbia has called on national team legend Samuel Eto’o to act as peacemaker to help persuade goalkeeper Andre Onana to come out of international retirement.

Mbia says his country “needs” Onana, describing him as their best player.

Onana, 27, quit international football after falling out with head coach Rigobert Song during the Qatar World Cup last year, releasing a statement shortly afterwards that confirmed his “story with the Cameroonian national team has come to an end.”

“Cameroon remains eternal, as does my love for the national team and for our people, who have always supported us no matter how difficult the moment was,” the statement went on to say.

But there have been indications he could be willing to end his exile and Mbia, who played at two World Cups and two Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) for his country, has urged Eto’o, now president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot), to step in.

“Onana is a very good guy, I know him, and such things can happen in football,” he told BBC Sport Africa.

“We know there are problems, but let’s put them aside with president Eto’o because it was a misunderstanding.

“Onana is a very good player and he should try and talk to him. We need him and Cameroon needs him.”

Rigobert Song appointed Cameroon head coach

Mbia’s desire to see Onana return was increased by the Indomitable Lions’ recent poor performances in qualifying for next year’s Afcon in Ivory Coast, which included a 2-1 defeat away to Namibia.

“It was a lot of mistakes,” said Mbia, who was part of the Cameroon side that lost to Egypt in the 2008 Afcon final in Ghana.

“We have to try and work and do the same things we did in the last couple of years.”

Stephane Mbia won 68 caps for Cameroon, scoring five goals and playing at two World Cups including the 2014 tournament hosted by Brazil

A letter from the ministry

Onana is in good form as Inter Milan’s number one goalkeeper. He played in both legs as Inter beat Benfica to reach the semi-finals of the Uefa Champions League and has kept six clean sheets in 10 matches in the competition.

And his performances even seem to have captured the attention of Cameroon’s minister of sport and physical education, Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, who has written to Inter president Steven Zhang.

In the letter, Kombi also describes the World Cup involving row between Onana as a “misunderstanding with technical staff.”

“We ask you to allow this talented goalkeeper to satisfy his desire to keep representing his native country,” the letter continues, “to inspire millions of his fellow countrymen by making him available for the Indomitable Lions.”

Although it remains unclear exactly what role the Italian club has to play in any potential reconciliation between Onana and head coach Song, the letter strongly suggests moves are afoot to bring about peace.

Mbia is keen to see that happen.

“I don’t understand why he retired,” concluded the former midfielder who represented Cameroon 68 times.

“I think he’s going to come back and try to sort things out.”

Culled from the BBC

The father of Cameroonian football legend Samuel Eto’o, who currently moonlights as president of the Cameroon Football Federation has died.

David Eto’o, suffered a heart attack and was reportedly in a coma for several days before passing away on Monday 17 April 2023 in Douala.

David Eto’o, an accountant by profession is known to the public thanks to his illustrious son, Samuel Eto’o, a former world football star.

Eto’o who played for FC Barcelona, Inter Milan, Chelsea and many other prestigious clubs regularly invited his parents to big games in Europe.

The home of the deceased in the Denver estate in the fifth district in Douala is now very busy with many people coming to the family home to pay their last respect to the father of six.

By Fon Lawrence in Douala

Cameroonian-French Mixed Martial Art fighter, Francis Ngannou has shared his time with popular American actor, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The UFC star was spotted together with the seven-time Olympia weightlifting champion during a workout session in a gym.

Ngannou, who has been inactive for sometime now, took to social media to share his excitement after meeting the legend.

Meanwhile, Ngannou is working his way back to getting a new deal and a fight in the coming months.

Source: Sportsbrief