ACTUALITE |
18.01.2004
Foe`s memory motivates Lions
Silence enveloped the Cameroon dressing room as midfielder Marc-Vivien Foe made an impassioned plea to his fellow Indomitable Lions.
"We have to qualify for the final," the 28-year-old told those he fought beside so often.
"We have to give our all, even if it means dying on the pitch."
Cameroon went on to beat Colombia 1-0 to reach the Fifa Confederations Cup decider, but Foe never had a chance to celebrate.
He died after collapsing on the pitch at the Gerland Stadium in the French city of Lyon, and the Indomitable Lions` subsequent defeat by France in the final lost its significance.
Some Cameroon fans still find it hard to accept that Foe no longer directs midfield operations for their national team.
However, the tragedy, which happened in June 2003, has served to further bond together a side that was already renowned for its camaraderie.
And the memory of Foe will prove an emotive spur for Cameroon as they go in search of an unprecedented third successive African Cup of Nations title.
Foe died after collapsing during the Confederations Cup in France
Indeed, Tunisia 2004 presents the Indomitable Lions with the opportunity to remember their beloved `Marco` by becoming the first side to ever win three successive African titles.
"Our ambition will be to defend the title and go on to be the first...country to win the trophy for the third time in a row," said captain Rigobert Song.
"We`ll be further motivated by the death of our talented midfielder Marc. He`s gone, but he`s right here in our minds. We`re going to play with him in our minds."
Foe was an integral part of Cameroon`s success in recent years and would undoubtedly have formed part of the team`s engine room in Tunisia.
Cameroon`s 2004 Nations Cup squad includes the likes of Rigobert Song and Geremi, players who broke into the international side at the same time as the tall young footballer from Union Garoua.
Others such as Salomon Olembe, Patrick Mboma and Samuel Eto`o joined later but then played alongside Foe in the sides that collected the 2000 and 2002 titles.
"A Lion never dies" and "Foe will live forever" were but two of many banners held aloft at his funeral.
The team-mates he left behind would like nothing more than to recall the memory of a gentle giant, renowned for his shyness and impish sense of humour, on the winners` podium at the conclusion of the 24th African Cup of Nations.
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Hits: 1 | Source:BBC | |
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