Death has more than a thousand ways of hurting people. Cameroon was at a standstill last night following the announcement of the death of Marc Vivien Foe.
Foe who epitomised the combativeness and fighting spirit of the Indomitable Lions for ten years collapsed in the Gerland stadium yesterday and passed on, shortly after the Cameroon – Colombia Confederation Cup semi-final match, making Cameroon’s victory sound like a poisoned gift.
The 28-year-old started his football career with Canon Yaounde. After a few years his talents brought him into the national side in 1994. he failed to be part of the 1994 World squad, but went professional that same year.
His professional career has taken him to five clubs, Montpellier, Lens and Lyon in France, West Ham and Manchester City in England.
Thanks to his height (1.90m) by 1998, Foe had established himself as an indispensable player of the Lions.
Unfortunately, that year he missed the World Cup in France because of injury.
But the solid and very reserved Foe recovered to continue the battle. He did some charity to the old and disabled, as if to thank the Lord for giving him a speedy recovery.
Over the years, Foe was easily identified as the work horse of the national team. As he frustrated the opponents so did he help build the offensive move of the Lions. He was also a perfect stabilizer understanding the ruse of the game. That role matched perfectly well with his character off the pitch. Hardly will one hear the voice of Foe. Never was he in the excesses of stars.
His achievements include a Cup of Cameroon win with Canon in 1993, French championship titles with Lens in 1998 and Lyon in 2002. He also took a French league Cup with Lyon in 2001.
With Cameron he twice lifted the Nations Cup in 2000 and 2002. Foe leaves behind parents, a wife, two children and the nation to mourn him.
