Vincent Aboubakar’s stoppage-time header earned Cameroon and the entire African continent a memorable honour on Friday, December 2, 2022 at the FIFA World Cup tournament in Qatar.
Cameroon defeated Brazil team 1:0 in their final group G match of the 2022 World Cup tournament. Although the win was not enough to see to Cameroon’s progress to the next stage of the tournament, it motivated a massive celebration on several streets of major towns in Cameroon. They finished third place in group G behind Brazil and Switzerland.
Vincent Aboubakar paid the price for removing his shirt in celebration of the goal that gave Africa their first World Cup win against Brazil, by collecting a second yellow card and thus a red one. The red card was not a punishment enough to kill the joy of the history maker.
“It’s a huge honour to score against Brazil. It’s unforgettable and will stay with me forever.” — he said.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF), has paid tribute to Cameroon’s talisman and Captain, Vincent Aboubakar, for his display at the 2022 FIFA World cup in Qatar. CAF erected breathtaking image, writing:
“𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 lobbed finish. 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 exquisite header. 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 historic result. 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 dramatic red card. Vincent Aboubakar will forever be part of #FIFAWorldCup history.”
Some sports pundits, however, have the view that it was a second-string Brazil side they faced Cameroon, but the presence of the likes of Ederson, Fabinho and Gabriel Martinelli meant it was still a Brazil side packed with quality. The Brazilians dominated both halves of the game but the last minute header from Aboubakar made the difference at the Lusail Iconic Stadium in Doha.
WHO IS VINCENT ABOUBAKAR?
Vincent Aboubakar was born on 22nd January, 1992, in a the moth-eaten northern cotton town of Garoua, 900km (560 miles) from the capital, Yaounde. He started his professional career with local side Coton Sport.
He made his national team debut at age 18 as the only home-based player in the Cameroon squad for the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa. He has scored 35 goals in 95 caps for Cameroon. Vincent Aboubakar is Cameroon’s second best all time goals scorer, behind Samuel Eto’o who holds the record with 48 goals.
The 30-year-old Vincent has played for European clubs like Calenciennes FC, FC Lorient, FC Porto, Besiktas but currently a Saudi Arabia-based striker who plays for Al-Nassr.
