Théophile Abega

Théophile Abega Mbida (9 July 1954 – 15 November 2012), nicknamed Doctor, was a Cameroonian football player and politician. Playing as a midfielder he was part of the Cameroon national football team, playing all three matches at the 1982 FIFA World Cup[2] and captaining the side to their first African Nations Cup victory in 1984, where he scored a goal in the final. He was nicknamed "The Doctor" in tribute to his footballing intelligence.[3]

Théophile Abega
Personal information
Full name Théophile Abega Mbida
Date of birth (1954-07-09)9 July 1954
Place of birth Nkomo, Cameroon
Date of death 15 November 2012(2012-11-15) (aged 58)[1]
Place of death Yaoundé, Cameroon
Position(s) Midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1974–1984 Canon Yaoundé
1984–1985 Toulouse 22 (3)
1985–1987 Vevey-Sports
National team
1982 Cameroon O. 3 (0)
1976–1987 Cameroon 16 (4)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

Abega played club football for Canon Yaoundé where he won the 1978 African Cup of Champions Clubs, 1980 African Cup of Champions Clubs and 1979 African Cup Winners' Cup titles as well as four Cameroonian championships and five Cameroonian Cups.[3] Later in his career, he moved to France to play for Toulouse FC before finishing in Switzerland with Vevey.[4]

International career

Following a collision with Zambian goalkeeper Efford Chabala at the 1986 African Cup of Nations Abega retired from football in 1987.[3] Abega then went into politics, becoming the mayor of the sixth arrondissement of Yaoundé.[3]

In 2006, he was selected by CAF as one of the best 200 African football players of the last 50 years.[5]

Death

Abega died of cardiac arrest at Yaoundé General Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon on 15 November 2012.[4]

References
  1. "Condoléances à la suite du décès de Théophile Abéga Mbida (Docteur Abéga)" (in French). cameroonvoice.com. Retrieved 17 November 2012.
  2. Theophile Abega – FIFA competition record
  3. Wilson, Jonathon (27 November 2012). "Cameroon's Théophile Abega was so intelligent they called him the doctor". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 27 November 2012.
  4. Gleeson, Mark (15 November 2012). "Former African Footballer of the Year Abega dies aged 58". Reuters.
  5. Οι 200 κορυφαίοι Αφρικανοί (in Greek). Sport24.gr. 25 October 2006.


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