33·Legends

Théophile Abega vs Thomas N'Kono

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

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.

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 1 rating point, 89 against 88.

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