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Cameroon's Patrick MBoma is a powerful forward combining
aerial strength, unmatched athleticism and a stunning
left foot.
Noted for his individual and stylish flair on the pitch,
MBoma has drawn comparisons to Roger Milla, the legendary
star of the Cameroon's national squad that reached the
quarter-finals of the 1990 World Cup. He has a fan in
Milla, too.
"(MBoma) is energetic, intelligent and ferocious,"
Milla said in a recent interview.
"He is indispensable because of his speed and
vigour and he is one person who can make a difference
in every match."
MBoma's personal goal for the World Cup, aside from
hoisting the trophy, is to emulate Milla's exploits.
"My objective in the 2002 championship in Japan
and Korea is to achieve his four goals scored during
the 1990 World Cup in Italy," MBoma said.
With 27 goals in 49 appearances for the "Indomitable
Lions," MBoma is an offensive stick of dynamite
that has been a mainstay for Cameroon since making his
international debut in 1995.
A proven goal-scorer in the top European leagues and
at the international level, MBoma was born November
15, 1970 in Douala, Cameroon before immigrating to France
with his family at age two. He began his soccer career
in 1990 when he joined French club Paris Saint-Germain.
After riding the bench for two years, PSG sent him on
loan to third division club Chateauroux to gain seasoning.
MBoma responded by scoring 17 goals in 29 games before
being recalled for duty by PSG. After another loan spell,
this time with Metz, MBoma left France and signed with
Japanese club Gamba Osaka. MBoma lit up the J-League
in 1997, scoring a remarkable 25 goals in 28 games.
Following a disappointing performance at France '98,
MBoma signed with Italian club Cagliari. After two seasons
there, he moved to AC Parma in the summer of 2000 before
being sent on a loan to English club Sunderland this
past spring.
Voted African Footballer of the Year in 2000, MBoma
led Cameroon to an Olympic Gold Medal in 2000 and to
victory in the 2002 African Nations Cup staged in Mali,
finishing as the tournament's top goal scorer with three
goals in four matches.
Based on the Lions' performance in Mali, MBoma feels
excited about Cameroon's chances of recapturing the
magic of Milla's 1990 team.
"The African Nations Cup was instrumental for
our preparation for the World Cup," said MBoma,
adding that climbing to the quarter-finals again would
be "very difficult, but not impossible. We're matured
enough to take the World Cup this time."
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