33·Legends

Joseph-Antoine Bell vs Théophile Abega

Cameroon against Cameroon. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.

JB

Joseph-Antoine Bell

Cameroon · 1984–90 · GK

Almanac rating
88
Rank in Cameroon
#4 of 33
Caps
50 · 0 goals
Clubs
Olympique de Marseille, FC Girondins de Bordeaux, AS Saint-Étienne

Hours before Cameroon met Argentina in Milan on 8 June 1990, he was dropped for telling the press what he thought of the squad's preparation, and watched the 1-0 win over the holders from the bench. Two Africa Cup of Nations titles, in 1984 and 1988, best goalkeeper of that 1988 tournament, and the IFFHS African goalkeeper of the century award after nine seasons in France with Marseille, Bordeaux, Toulon and Saint-Étienne. Career record: 50 caps and 0 goals for Cameroon; club career at Olympique de Marseille, FC Girondins de Bordeaux, AS Saint-Étienne.

vs
TA

Théophile Abega

Cameroon · 1978–84 · CAM

Almanac rating
88
Rank in Cameroon
#6 of 33
Caps
16 · 4 goals
Clubs
Canon Yaoundé, Toulouse, FC Vevey-Sports 05

With the 1984 final against Nigeria level in Abidjan, the captain they called Le Docteur ran at the Nigerian midfield, swapped passes with Roger Milla and put Cameroon ahead on 79 minutes. The 3-1 win gave Cameroon their first Africa Cup of Nations and him the player of the tournament award; with Canon Yaoundé he won the African Cup of Champions Clubs in 1978 and 1980 and the Cup Winners Cup in 1979, and four domestic titles. Career record: 16 caps and 4 goals for Cameroon; club career at Canon Yaoundé, Toulouse, FC Vevey-Sports 05.

The verdict

The almanac cannot separate them: both are rated 88.

Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.

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