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Mboma quits football (16.05.2005)
Former African Footballer of the Year Patrick Mboma announced his retirement from the game on Monday.
"Having suffered from a series of injuries, I realise that the time has come for me to end my career," said the 34-year-old Cameroonian.
Mboma, who has been with Japanese club side Vissel Kobe, won the gold medal at the 2000 Olympics and two African titles - in 2000 and 2002 - with Cameroon`s Indomitable Lions.
"It is all too clear that football has given me great satisfaction and brought applause from many fans," he said.
Mboma, who also played his club football in France, Italy and England, featured at the 1998 and 2002 World Cup finals.
A farewell ceremony for the striker, who has been with Kobe since last August, was scheduled for Friday, after a home J-League Cup match against Omiya Ardija.
But he insists he will continue to play a role in football.
"I believe I cannot leave the world of football which is my life," he said without elaborating.
"I want to take on a
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new challenge, and hopefully enjoy a different type of success following the many successes which I have had on the pitch."
Mboma featured Paris Saint-Germain, FC Metz, Gamba Osaka, Cagliari, Parma, Sunderland and Tokyo Verdy before moving to Kobe.
He came to be known as "The Black Panther of Osaka" through his first stint in the Japanese league with Gamba in 1997 and 1998.
The imposing striker returned to the J-League in 2003 to play for Tokyo Verdy, following an unimpressive stint at Libya`s Al Ittihad.
Scoring 33 goals in 57 international matches for the Indomitable Lions, after making his debut in 1995, Mboma endured a frustrating last season, as injuries restricted him to four appearances for the J-League`s bottom club.
"I really feel sad, as I am taking the important step which comes to every football player.
"But my wonderful experiences in football and love from my family will help me take it in stride," Mboma said.
"Sayonara and arigato (Japanese for goodbye and thank you)."
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