Achille Emana

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Achille Emaná
Achille Emana cropped.jpg
Emana playing for Cameroon
Personal information
Full name Achille Emaná Edzimbi
Date of birth 5 June 1982 (1982-06-05) (age 29)
Place of birth Yaoundé, Cameroon
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Playing position Attacking midfielder
Club information
Current club Al-Ahli
Number 70
Youth career
1997–1999 Babimbi Douala
1999–2000 Valencia
2000–2001 Toulouse
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2001–2008 Toulouse 231 (28)
2008–2011 Betis 91 (34)
2011– Al-Hilal 11 (4)
2012– → Al-Ahli (loan)
National team‡
2003– Cameroon 38 (6)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 00:00, 31 January 2012 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 00:00, 14 June 2011 (UTC)

Achille Emaná Edzimbi (born 5 June 1982 in Yaoundé), known as Emaná, is a Cameroonian footballer who plays for Al-Ahli Dubai on loan from Al-Hilal FC in Saudi Arabia, as an attacking midfielder.

Contents

[edit] Club career

[edit] Toulouse

After a brief youth spell in Spain with Valencia CF, Emaná moved in 2000 to France and joined Toulouse FC. The following year, at only 19, he became an important first-team unit for the Ligue 2 club, never playing in less than 32 matches in his first four seasons combined, and helping the Haute-Garonne side achieve promotion to the top level in his second year. yahya

In 2005, following Michael Essien's departure to Chelsea, Emaná reportedly attracted interest from French giants Olympique Lyonnais who were looking to replace the Ghanaian,[1] with fellow ligue club Olympique de Marseille also joining the race.[2] The player stayed nonetheless at Toulouse, netting eight times in 36 matches as the club finished a best-ever third in the first division, thus achieving UEFA Champions League qualification honours.

During the following off-season, Emaná was strongly linked with English Premier League club Portsmouth, where he would have joined a large contingent of African players. His chances of a move were quashed, however, when he was unable to obtain a work permit,[3][4][5] and he subsequently penned a new two-year contract with Toulouse, until 2010.[6]

In spring 2008, it was reported that English sides West Ham United and Newcastle United were interested in acquiring Emaná's services,[7] with La Liga outfit Sevilla FC also said to be tracking the Cameroonian.[8] Eventually, nothing came of it again, and he saw out the entire season with the French, which finished in 17th position, being the first team placed outside the relegation zone.

[edit] Betis

On 11 June 2008, it was reported that Real Betis were negotiating with Toulouse for Emaná's transfer. The player was quoted as being keen to secure a move to Spain to further his career, even though his current club had apparently already rejected two bids for his signature.[9] On 22 July, he finally completed his move to the Andalusians, for a fee of £5.5 millon.[10]

On 19 October 2008, Emaná scored his first goal for Betis, in a 3–0 home win over RCD Mallorca.[11] In mid-April 2009, he added braces against Racing de Santander (3–2 away win[12]) and Sporting de Gijón (2–0 at home[13]), finishing his first season with 11 goals - club's best - and seven assists, but his team was relegated in the last matchday.

In spite of heavy speculation about his future,[14] Emaná continued to be an essential unit for Betis in the following Segunda División seasons.

The attacking trio of Emaná and strikers Rubén Castro and Jorge Molina combined for more than 50 league goals in 2010–11, as Betis returned to the top division after two years of absence.

[edit] International career

An international since 2003, Emaná represented the Cameroonian national team at that year's FIFA Confederations Cup, also appearing for the country in the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations, where his side exited in the quarter-finals.

Late in 2007, frustrated with the treatment he received whilst at the service of the national team, he retired from international play,[15] but returned shortly after,[16] appearing in the 2008 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored against Zambia in a 5–1 group stage win. Cameroon eventually lost in the final to Egypt.

Emaná represented Cameroon at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, playing in two matches (two defeats) in an eventual group stage exit for the Lions Indomptables.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Lyon look at new Essien; Sky Sports
  2. ^ L'OM admit Emana's an option; Sky Sports
  3. ^ Emana waiting for Pompey offer; Sky Sports
  4. ^ Emana keeps up Pompey hope; Sky Sports
  5. ^ Permit problems for Pompey deal; Sky Sports
  6. ^ Emana extends Toulouse deal; Sky Sports
  7. ^ Emana linked with Newcastle; Sky Sports
  8. ^ Emana linked with a move abroad; Sky Sports
  9. ^ Emana eyes Betis switch; Sky Sports
  10. ^ Emana earns Betis move; Sky Sports
  11. ^ Real Betis 3-0 Mallorca; ESPNsoccernet, 19 October 2008
  12. ^ Racing Santander 2-3 Real Betis; ESPNsoccernet, 12 April 2009
  13. ^ Real Betis 2-0 Sporting Gijon; ESPNsoccernet, 19 April 2009
  14. ^ Emana: "Dejar el Betis está lejos en estos momentos" (Emana: "Right now, leaving Betis is far away"); Diario de Sevilla, 17 July 2009 (Spanish)
  15. ^ Emana calls time on Cameroon; Sky Sports
  16. ^ Emana thriving on the pressure; FIFA.com, 28 April 2010

[edit] External links

Al Ahli Dubai – current squad
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