CAN 2021 – Cameroon: Vincent Aboubakar, a well-listened captain

 

In 2017 in Gabon, Vincent Aboubakar was only a second knife in the Lair. Not even a lieutenant. Just a soldier who struggled to establish himself as a key asset to Hugo Broos. Sometimes holder, sometimes on the bench, it will have taken time to get its claws out. He did it, however, at the right time. In the final, when he scored the winning goal against Mohamed Salah's Egypt (2-1). Since then he has scored in all CAN matches.

Almost five years later, the one who will have missed 

the CAN 2019 due to injury, has indeed taken the lead. The 30-year-old wears the Cameroon captain's armband in this 33rd ^edition . And it suits him well. His country face The Gambia tonight in the quarter-finals of the competition, after a four-game unbeaten run. A performance acquired thanks to the collective certainly. But also by a state of mind that could not be better embodied than by its spearhead: Vincent Aboubakar. “ He is an example on the field but also outside. He always has the right words to motivate his teammates  ,” revealed coach Antonio Conceiçao.

The group at the service of the leader

In this CAN 2021, Vincent Aboubakar is an adored leader. He managed to build an osmosis around him. And by dint of living to the rhythm of its captain, the Cameroon team is in his image: insatiable and determined to the end. “ Vincent is an excellent player who is always hungry and always wants to go further and higher. These are the characteristics that he instills in his young teammates. He wants to write his name in history ,” explains his trainer. The matches of the Cameroonian team at this AFCON also show that the group is adapting well to its leader.

If he is the boss in the locker room, on the field, he is also well surrounded by his teammates who do everything to put him in ideal conditions. The proof: he already totals 6 achievements including 4 on clear passes from his partners. Which makes him the new record holder for the most goals scored by a Cameroonian at a CAN, ahead of a certain Samuel Eto'o(5 goals in 2006 and 2008). " He's really someone who gives us advice, especially for us attackers. He's a real leader in the locker room. When it is necessary to speak, he does so and encourages us. 

I am very happy with his good performance on the field. We hope he will finish top scorer “, assured the Cameroonian striker Ignatius Ganago. All his teammates like him. And it's nothing to say. With Aboubakar, Cameroon seems to see further.

Vincent Aboubakar@ Africa News24