Raymond Kalla

Raymond Koned Kalla Nkongo (born 22 April 1975), known as Kalla, is a Cameroonian former professional footballer who played as a central defender.

Raymond Kalla
Personal information
Full name Raymond Koned Kalla Nkongo
Date of birth (1975-04-22) 22 April 1975
Place of birth Douala, Cameroon
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s) Centre back
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1993–1995 Canon Yaoundé
1995–1998 Panachaiki 71 (3)
1998–2002 Extremadura 121 (1)
2002–2005 VfL Bochum 77 (6)
2005–2006 Sivasspor 26 (0)
2006–2008 Union Douala
Total 295 (10)
National team
1994–2006 Cameroon 63 (2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

His main asset was a powerful physique,[1] and he had already been picked by the Cameroonian national team for three World Cups – and started – in his mid-20s.

During 15 years as a professional, Kalla played in five countries for six clubs.

Club career

Kalla was born in Douala. After starting professionally at Canon Sportif de Yaoundé, he went on to play in four countries: first Panachaiki F.C. in Greece then Spain's CF Extremadura, where he competed in both major divisions.

In 2002, after Extremadura dropped another category to the third level, Kalla signed with VfL Bochum in Germany[2]– he scored five times in his last season, second-best in the squad – but the club was relegated from the Bundesliga. He also received a three-match ban for anti-doping rules breaching, in late 2003.[3]

Subsequently, Kalla joined Turkish side Sivasspor for the 2005–06 campaign, returning home for two final years at Union Douala and retiring at age 33.

International career

Kalla won 63 caps for Cameroon, and was a participant at three consecutive FIFA World Cups: 1994, 1998 and 2002. In the first he (aged 19) played all the matches and minutes, often being partnered by another youngster, Rigobert Song (17), in an eventual group stage exit. He was part of the victorious 2000 and 2002 African Cup of Nations squads.

After the 2002 World Cup, Kalla announced to retire from the national team due to conflicts with the Federation structure, which he accused of poor organization,[4] but eventually changed his mind.[5]

Initially summoned for the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations, Kalla was forced to withdraw due to injury,[6] and retired for the second and definitive time.

References
  1. "Raymond Kalla". BBC Sport. 24 May 2002. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  2. "Kalla goes to Germany". BBC Sport. 26 June 2002. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  3. "Kalla gets three game bany". BBC Sport. 15 December 2003. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  4. "Cameroon star Kalla retiresy". BBC Sport. 17 September 2002. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  5. "Kalla hints at Cameroon returny". BBC Sport. 13 January 2003. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  6. "Kalla pulls out of Cup of Nationsy". BBC Sport. 30 January 2006. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
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