International Football
20 Years after: Remembering Marc-Vivien Foe: Celebrating the life and legacy of Cameroon star
Monday marked the solemn occasion of the 20th anniversary of the tragic death of Cameroonian football star Marc-Vivien Foé.
As CAFOnline.com reflects on this tragic event, we pay tribute to a remarkable African footballer whose life was tragically cut short on June 26, 2003 during a FIFA Confederations Cup match in France.
Football world has been paying tribute to the former Indomitable Lions midfielder including the legendary Cameroon striker Roger Milla.
We pay homage to Foe’s extraordinary playing career, his unwavering dedication to the Cameroon national team, his immense contributions to his clubs, as his enduring legacy both on and off the pitch continue to inspire the current generation.
Rising Star:
Born on May 1, 1975, in Yaounde, Cameroon, Foe’s passion for football was evident from an early age and his career spanned over a decade.
His journey to stardom began in the 1990s in his native country, where he played for Canon Yaoundé. It was here that he honed his skills and caught the attention of international scouts.
In 1994, he made a move to France, signing with Lens in Ligue 1. Foe’s time at Lens was a testament to his talent, as he displayed exceptional midfield prowess and became a vital cog in the team’s engine.
His performances did not go unnoticed, and in 1999, Foe made his move to West Ham United in the English Premier League where he spent just one season before returning to France to play for Lyon.
The midfielder stayed in France for the next three years only punctured by a loan stint with Manchester City and he adapted seamlessly to the fast-paced and physical nature of English football.
With the various clubs he played for, Foe became a fan favorite with his tenacity, skill, and ability to dictate play from midfield. This cemented his status as one of Cameroon’s most prominent football exports which caught the eyes of national selectors.
International Success:
It was on the international stage where Foe truly cemented his legacy. Representing the Indomitable Lions, Foe played a crucial role for his country in two World Cup appearances in 1994 and 2002 and played in all their group matches in both competitions.
His biggest impact was in Cameroon’s triumph at the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations, where they emerged as champions. Foe’s midfield dominance and leadership skills were on full display, earning him the admiration and respect of his team-mates and fans alike.
Foe’s international career continued to flourish, culminating in his participation in the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup in France. It was during this tournament that tragedy struck.
In a semi-final match against Colombia, Foe collapsed on the pitch, succumbing to a heart-related condition. The football world stood still in disbelief, mourning the loss of a gifted player and remarkable human being.
Legacy and Impact:
Beyond his achievements on the football field, Foé’s legacy extends far beyond his athletic prowess. He was revered for his humility, sportsmanship, and devotion to charitable causes.
Foé’s tragic passing prompted increased awareness and research into cardiac health in professional footballers, leading to advancements in medical protocols and screenings to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Marc-Vivien Foé Foundation, created by his family, strives to provide support and opportunities to underprivileged children in Cameroon through educational initiatives and sporting programs.
Well-travelled Portuguese coach Paulo Duarte has been named as Guinea’s new coach, less than a month before their next round of World Cup qualifiers.
Duarte, 56, has twice previously coached Burkina Faso and taken charge of Gabon and Togo, while also coaching at clubs in Portugal, France, Tunisia, Angola and Saudi Arabia.
Guinea’s football federation gave no contract details when they made the announcement on Monday, but said they would be looking for Duarte to “restructure their national team”.
Guinea trail leaders Algeria by eight points in their World Cup qualifying group with four games remaining, leaving them with only a slim chance of qualification.
They play Somalia away on September 5 and then Algeria at home on September 8 in their next two qualifiers although a stadium ban means Guinea have moved their home game to Casablanca, Morocco.
-Reuters
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Veteran coach Louis van Gaal says he has been cured of cancer and is keen for a return to the higher levels of the game.
The 73-year-old announced three years ago that he was suffering from prostate cancer, but told a Dutch television talk show, “I’m no longer bothered by cancer.”
When he announced his illness, Van Gaal was the coach of the Dutch national team, but he has not worked since the last World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
“Two years ago, I had a few operations. It was all bad then. But it all worked out in the end. I have check-ups every few months, and that’s going well. I’m getting fitter and fitter,” he said.
Van Gaal, whose career has included stints at Ajax Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester United, reiterated a lack of interest in returning to club management but said becoming the national coach of a top-tier country could tempt him back.
He now serves as a special advisor to Ajax.
-Reuters
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In a compelling twist of football destiny, Davide Ancelotti is stepping into his own spotlight as he begins his first head coaching role at Brazilian club Botafogo—just months after parting ways with his legendary father, Carlo Ancelotti, at Real Madrid.
The 35-year-old has been appointed as Botafogo’s new manager, the club announced on Tuesday, following the sacking of Renato Paiva. Davide, who has spent the last decade working alongside his father at some of Europe’s top clubs—including Bayern Munich, Napoli, Everton, and Real Madrid—has signed a one-year deal with the Rio-based team.
This marks a significant milestone for the younger Ancelotti, whose career has long been shaped by his father’s influence, but who now faces the challenge of carving his own identity on the touchline.
The move comes shortly after both father and son departed Real Madrid at the end of last season, with Carlo taking over the Brazilian national team. Now, in a poetic alignment, father and son find themselves on different paths within Brazilian football—one leading the Seleção, the other steering the fortunes of a storied domestic club.
Botafogo’s decision to appoint Davide follows a controversial parting with Paiva, who was dismissed just days after their exit from the Club World Cup. Though he oversaw a stunning win over Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain, a 1-0 extra-time loss to Palmeiras in the round of 16 proved to be his final act after just four months in charge.
As Davide Ancelotti begins this new chapter, all eyes will be on whether the son of one of football’s most decorated managers can step out from his father’s shadow—and perhaps, in time, build a legacy of his own.
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