33·Legends

Lauren vs Thomas N'Kono

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

L

Lauren

Cameroon · 2000–05 · RB

Almanac rating
87
Rank in Cameroon
#8 of 33
Clubs
Levante UD, RCD Mallorca, Arsenal

Signed as a midfielder in 2000, he was moved to right back to succeed Lee Dixon, and he was still there in May 2005 to score Arsenal's first penalty in the FA Cup final shootout against Manchester United. Two league titles, the unbeaten 2003-04 season among them, three FA Cups, the Africa Cup of Nations in 2000 and 2002 with the player of the tournament award in 2000, and Olympic gold at Sydney. Career record: club career at Levante UD, RCD Mallorca, Arsenal.

vs
TN

Thomas N'Kono

Cameroon · 1979–88 · GK

Almanac rating
89
Rank in Cameroon
#3 of 33
Caps
112 · 0 goals
Clubs
RCD Espanyol de Barcelona, Centre d'Esports Sabadell Futbol Club, Club Bolívar

Gianluigi Buffon watched him at Italia 90, decided to become a goalkeeper, and later named his first son Louis Thomas after the Cameroonian. He kept clean sheets against Peru and Poland in 1982 as Cameroon went out unbeaten on goals scored, won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1984, took African Footballer of the Year in 1979 and 1982, and reached the 1988 UEFA Cup final with Espanyol. Career record: 112 caps and 0 goals for Cameroon; club career at RCD Espanyol de Barcelona, Centre d'Esports Sabadell Futbol Club, Club Bolívar.

The verdict

The almanac puts Thomas N'Kono ahead by 2 rating points, 89 against 87.

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