| Intro | Cameroonian footballer |
| Is |
Athlete Football player Association football player |
| From | Cameroon |
| Type | Sports |
| Gender | male |
| Birth | 20 July 1955, Dizangué, Sanaga-Maritime, Littoral, Cameroon |
| Age: | 65 years |
Thomas ‘Tommy’ NKono (born 20 July 1956) is a Cameroonian retired footballer.
Arguably the greatest goalkeeper Africa has ever produced, he is mainly associated to Espanyol, whom he represented for almost a decade appearing in more than 300 official games.
NKono appeared for the Cameroon national team in three World Cups, and four Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
Club career
NKono was born in Dizangue. After playing in his country with Canon Yaoundé and Tonnerre Yaoundé he moved to Spain with RCD Español in 1982, after solid performances in the FIFA World Cup played in that country. He received the France Football African Footballer of the Year award in that year, and also in 1979.
With the Catalans NKono hardly ever missed a game, going on to amass more than 300 official appearances. In the 1988–89 season, however, he was not able to help prevent the club’s La Liga relegation and, by the time it returned to the top division, he was already second-choice to younger Vicente Biurrun.
NKono would play three more years in Spain, incidentally also in Catalonia, with CE Sabadell FC (second level) and CE L’Hospitalet. He retired already in his 40’s with Club Bolívar from Bolivia, and subsequently returned to his main club as a goalkeeping coach, helping develop young talent and countryman Carlos Kameni.
NKono placed second in IFFHS’ “African Goalkeeper of the Century” Elections, behind Joseph-Antoine Bell.
International career
A Cameroonian international for almost two decades, NKono played in three World Cups: 1982, 1990 and 1994. In the first two he was the undisputed starter, as the nation went out in the group stage without losing a match and valliantly exited in the quarter-final against England, respectively; in the very last minute of the 1994 edition’s preparations, the 39-year-old was called as backup to Bell, and did not play.
NKono, who was the national side’s goalkeepers coach, also worked briefly as interim manager after German Otto Pfister resigned in protest. The following month, as Paul Le Guen took the reins of the team, he was reset in his old post.
Controversy
In 2002, NKono was arrested by riot police for allegedly using “black magic”, prior to the African Cup of Nations semi-final against Mali (3–0 win). He was dragged onto the running track after stepping onto the pitch at the 26 March Stadium, alongside coach Winfried Schäfer, and eventually received a one-year ban, which was then lifted, although he was not allowed to sit on the bench for the final. There was speculation that an object found in his pocket was a black-magic charm aimed at helping Cameroon’s cause.
Style of play
NKono was a tall, strong, dynamic and athletic goalkeeper, who was known in particular for his speed, agility, reactions and ability to produce spectacular and acrobatic saves. One of his most notable characteristics was his ability to come out and punch the ball with power when crosses were delivered into the area; his unique, instinctive and aggressive style inspired Gianluigi Buffon as a youngster.
A commanding presence in goal, NKono also stood out for his composure, confidence and leadership throughout his career, and was nicknamed the black spider. In addition to his goalkeeping abilities, he was also known for wearing long trackpants instead of shorts.
Personal life
Buffon declared he decided to play in the goalkeeping position after seeing NKono’s performances at the 1990 World Cup. In addition, he named his first son Louis Thomas in the Cameroonian’s honour.
Honours
Club
- Elite One: 1974, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1982
- CAF Champions League: 1978, 1980
- UEFA Cup: Runner-up 1987–88
- Liga de Fútbol Profesional Boliviano: 1996, 1997
International
- Africa Cup of Nations: 1984; Runner-up 1986
Individual
- African Player of the Year: 1979, 1982