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 team, playing all three matches at the 1982 FIFA World Cup and captaining the side to their first African Nations Cup victory in 1984, where he scored a goal in the final. Théophile Abega's style of play was characterized by his intelligence and tactical awareness on the football field. He was known for his ability to play the ball wherever and whenever he wanted, showcasing a playmaker of the finest caliber with superb "killer" defense-splitting passes. Abega's play style was majestic, demonstrating commanding control of the ball, calmness in rounding up midfielders and defenders, and the ability to run at defences with speed and a magnificent left foot shot. He became famous for his unexpected long-distance strikes, scoring goals even against the run of play. Abega's trademark Number 14 jersey evoked comparisons with Brazilian legend Socrates, earning him the nickname "Doctor." His play style was a perfect blend of pulsating action, speed, and skill, almost but not quite arrogance, which endeared him to millions of fans across the globe. Widely considered as one of the best midfielders in African football. In 2006, he was selected by CAF as one of the best 200 African football players of the last 50 years.

Club career
He made his debut in adult football in 1972 playing for the team of the club "Canon Yaoundé", which at that time was not only the leader of Cameroonian football, but one of the strongest teams on the continent, and in which Abega spent ten seasons. After the triumph of the Cameroonians at the 1984 African Cup of Nations, the leader of this national team became interested in Europe and in the same year Abega joined the French Toulouse. After one season spent in France, he moved to Switzerland, becoming a player of the Vevey club, whose colors he defended until 1987, in which he was forced to end his playing career due to injury.

International career
In 1976, he made his debut in official matches as part of the national team of Cameroon. As part of the national team, he was a participant in the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain. Two years later, he was the captain of the Cameroonian national team at the 1984 African Cup of Nations, where the Cameroonians became continental champions for the first time, and Abega scored a goal in the final match. Thanks in large part to the performance shown in this tournament, Abegu was voted the best African footballer of 1984. Subsequently, he became the vice-champion of Africa at the 1986 Africann Cup of Nations. In 1984, he also defended the colors of the Cameroon Olympic team. As part of this team, he played 3 matches as part of the football tournament of the 1984 Summer Olympics.

Later life and death
After completing his performances on the football field, he went into politics. He was the mayor of one of the arrondissements of the Cameroonian capital Yaoundé.

He died on November 15, 2012 at the age of 59 in the city of Yaoundé from cardiac arrest.

Honours
Club
Cameroon Championship: 1977, 1979, 1980
Cameroon Cup: 1976, 1977, 1978
African Champions Cup: 1978, 1980
CAF Cup Winners' Cup: 1979

International
African Cup of Nations: 1984; runner-up, 1986

References

Category:1954 births
Category:2012 deaths
Category:Association football midfielders
Category:Cameroonian footballers
Category:Olympians for Cameroon