Thomas N'Kono
Encyclopedia
Thomas 'Tommy' Nkono is a retired Cameroon
ian footballer.
Arguably the greatest goalkeeper Africa
has ever produced, he is mainly associated to Espanyol
, whom he represented for almost a decade appearing in more than 300 official games.
Nkono appeared for the Cameroonian national team
in three World Cups
.
and Tonnerre Yaoundé
, Nkono moved to Spain
with RCD Español
in 1982, after solid performances in the FIFA World Cup
played in that country. He received the France Football African Footballer of the Year award in that year, and also in 1979.
With the Catalans
, he hardly ever missed a match, going on to amass more than 300 official appearances. In 1988–89, however, he was not able to help prevent the club's relegation and, by the time it returned to La Liga
, he was already second-choice, to younger Vicente Biurrun.
Nkono would play three more years in Spain, incidentally also in Catalonia, with CE Sabadell FC (second level
) and CE L'Hospitalet; he retired already in his 40's, with Club Bolívar
from Bolivia
. He subsequently returned to his main club as a goalkeeping coach, helping develop young talent (and countryman) Carlos Kameni
.
for almost two decades, Nkono played in three World Cups
: 1982
, 1990
and 1994
. In the first two, he was the undisputed starter, as the nation went out in the group stage without losing a match, and valliantly exited in the quarter-final against England
, respectively.
In the very last minute of the 1994 edition's preparations, the 39 year-old was called as backup to Joseph-Antoine Bell
, and did not play.
Nkono, who was the national side's goalkeepers coach, also worked briefly as interim
coach, after German
Otto Pfister
resigned in protest. The following month, as Paul Le Guen
took the reins of the team, he was reset in his old post.
", prior to the African Cup of Nations semi-final against Mali
(3–0 win). He was dragged onto the running track after stepping onto the pitch at the March 26 Stadium, alongside coach Winfried Schäfer, and eventually received a one-year ban, which was then lifted, although he was not allowed to sit on the bench for the final. There was speculation that an object found in his pocket was a black-magic charm aimed at helping Cameroon's cause.
footballer Gianluigi Buffon
, also a goalkeeper, declared he decided to play in that position after seeing Nkono's performances at the 1990 World Cup. In addition, he named his son Thomas in the Cameroonian's honour.
Cameroon
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
ian footballer.
Arguably the greatest goalkeeper Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
has ever produced, he is mainly associated to Espanyol
RCD Espanyol
Reial Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona is a sports club based in Barcelona, Spain. It is best known for its football team. Espanyol currently play in the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat with seats for 40,500 spectators. It was inaugurated on 2 August 2009...
, whom he represented for almost a decade appearing in more than 300 official games.
Nkono appeared for the Cameroonian national team
Cameroon national football team
The Cameroon national football team, nicknamed Les Lions Indomptables , is controlled by the Fédération Camerounaise de Football and is Africa's most successful side in FIFA world cup; having qualified for the FIFA World Cup six times – in 1982, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2010– more than any...
in three World Cups
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
.
Club career
After playing in his country with Éclair Douala, Canon YaoundéCanon Yaoundé
Canon Sportif de Yaoundé, commonly referred to as Canon Yaoundé, are a Cameroonian football club based in Yaoundé. The club was formed in 1930 and play their games at Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo...
and Tonnerre Yaoundé
Tonnerre Yaoundé
Tonnerre Kalara Club of Yaoundé are a football club based in Yaoundé, Cameroon. The club was most prominent during the 1980s, winning all of their 5 national championship during the decade. They have also won the national cup 5 times...
, Nkono moved to Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
with RCD Español
RCD Espanyol
Reial Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona is a sports club based in Barcelona, Spain. It is best known for its football team. Espanyol currently play in the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat with seats for 40,500 spectators. It was inaugurated on 2 August 2009...
in 1982, after solid performances in the FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
played in that country. He received the France Football African Footballer of the Year award in that year, and also in 1979.
With the Catalans
Catalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
, he hardly ever missed a match, going on to amass more than 300 official appearances. In 1988–89, however, he was not able to help prevent the club's relegation and, by the time it returned to La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
, he was already second-choice, to younger Vicente Biurrun.
Nkono would play three more years in Spain, incidentally also in Catalonia, with CE Sabadell FC (second level
Segunda División
The Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:...
) and CE L'Hospitalet; he retired already in his 40's, with Club Bolívar
Club Bolívar
Club Bolívar, a football team from Bolivia, was founded in La Paz on April 12, 1925, with the name Atletico Bolívar Literario Musical later changed to "Club Atlético Bolívar"...
from Bolivia
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
. He subsequently returned to his main club as a goalkeeping coach, helping develop young talent (and countryman) Carlos Kameni
Idriss Carlos Kameni
Idriss Carlos Kameni is a Cameroonian footballer who plays for RCD Espanyol in the Spanish first division, as a goalkeeper.-France:...
.
International career
A Cameroonian internationalCameroon national football team
The Cameroon national football team, nicknamed Les Lions Indomptables , is controlled by the Fédération Camerounaise de Football and is Africa's most successful side in FIFA world cup; having qualified for the FIFA World Cup six times – in 1982, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2010– more than any...
for almost two decades, Nkono played in three World Cups
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
: 1982
1982 FIFA World Cup
The 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 12th FIFA World Cup, was held in Spain from 13 June to 11 July. The tournament was won by Italy, after defeating West Germany 3–1 in the final.-Host selection:...
, 1990
1990 FIFA World Cup
The 1990 FIFA World Cup was the 14th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 8 June to 8 July 1990 in Italy, the second country to host the event twice. Teams representing 116 national football associations from all six populated...
and 1994
1994 FIFA World Cup
The 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 15th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in nine cities across the United States from June 17 to July 17, 1994. The United States was chosen as the host by FIFA on July 4, 1988...
. In the first two, he was the undisputed starter, as the nation went out in the group stage without losing a match, and valliantly exited in the quarter-final against England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
, respectively.
In the very last minute of the 1994 edition's preparations, the 39 year-old was called as backup to Joseph-Antoine Bell
Joseph-Antoine Bell
Joseph-Antoine Bell, sometimes referred to as JoJo Bell is a former Cameroonian international football goalkeeper, one of the best African goalkeepers of all time...
, and did not play.
Nkono, who was the national side's goalkeepers coach, also worked briefly as interim
Interim
Interim is an album by British rock band The Fall, compiled from live and studio material and released in 2004. It features the first officially released versions of "Clasp Hands", "Blindness" and "What About Us?" — all of which were later included on the band's next studio album Fall Heads Roll —...
coach, after German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
Otto Pfister
Otto Pfister
Otto Pfister is a German football manager, and one of Germany's most successful coaching exports, voted Africa's Manager of the Year in 1992. He has been to four African Cup of Nations competitions with Upper Volta , Zaire, Cameroon and Ghana) and reached the African Cup of Nations final twice,...
resigned in protest. The following month, as Paul Le Guen
Paul Le Guen
Paul Le Guen is a French football manager and former player. He was recently confirmed as new manager of the Oman national football team.Le Guen had a successful managerial career in France, most notably leading Olympique Lyonnais to three consecutive Ligue 1 titles. He has also managed Stade...
took the reins of the team, he was reset in his old post.
Controversy
In 2002, Nkono was arrested by riot police for allegedly using "black magicBlack magic
Black magic is the type of magic that draws on assumed malevolent powers or is used with the intention to kill, steal, injure, cause misfortune or destruction, or for personal gain without regard to harmful consequences. As a term, "black magic" is normally used by those that do not approve of its...
", prior to the African Cup of Nations semi-final against Mali
Mali national football team
The Mali national football team, nicknamed Les Aigles , is the national team of Mali and is controlled by the Fédération Malienne de Football. They have never qualified for the World Cup finals.-History:...
(3–0 win). He was dragged onto the running track after stepping onto the pitch at the March 26 Stadium, alongside coach Winfried Schäfer, and eventually received a one-year ban, which was then lifted, although he was not allowed to sit on the bench for the final. There was speculation that an object found in his pocket was a black-magic charm aimed at helping Cameroon's cause.
Personal
ItalianItaly
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
footballer Gianluigi Buffon
Gianluigi Buffon
Gianluigi "Gigi" Buffon, Ufficiale OMRI , is an Italian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Serie A club Juventus and the Italian national team. He has won the FIFA World Cup and is widely considered by fans and experts to be one of most dominant and successful goalkeepers in history...
, also a goalkeeper, declared he decided to play in that position after seeing Nkono's performances at the 1990 World Cup. In addition, he named his son Thomas in the Cameroonian's honour.