Mboma dreaming of repeat win

YAOUNDE (Reuters) -- Cameroon's burly striker Patrick Mboma goes to the African Nations Cup finals as the reigning African Footballer of the Year because the announcement of his successor for 2001 has been delayed.

Mboma, 31, won the award after a dream 2000, leading Cameroon to the Nations Cup title and then competing as an overage player in the under-23 side that won the soccer gold medal at the Sydney Olympics.

Mboma also moved to Italian club Parma during 2000 but has found the same success difficult to attain in Serie A.

Born in Douala, the economic capital of Cameroon, Mboma moved to France as a child and started his professional career at Paris St Germain.

But he failed to win a regular place and had two spells away from the French capital on loan.

It was only after moving to Japan, where he scored 25 goals in 28 matches for Gamba Osaka, that Mboma hit international headlines and was signed by Italian club Cagliari.

His debut for Cameroon came in December 1995 against Liberia and has scored an impressive 24 goals in 44 appearances for his country.

 

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