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{{short description|Cameroonian footballer}}
'''Thomas N'Kono''' (born [[July 20]], [[1956]] in [[Dizangue]]) is a retired football [[goalkeeper]] from [[Cameroon]]. A legend for the [[Cameroon national football team]], and arguably the greatest goalkeeper Africa has produced. He played three matches at the [[Football World Cup 1982|1982 World Cup]] and five at the [[Football World Cup 1990|1990 World Cup]]. In addition he was a bench cover for [[Joseph-Antoine Bell]] at the [[Football World Cup 1994|1994 World Cup]].
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Thomas N'Kono
| image = TNkono.JPG
| caption = N'Kono training with [[RCD Espanyol|Espanyol]] (GK coach)
| full_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1956|7|20|df=y}}<ref name=Bio>{{WorldFootball.net|thomas-nkono}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Dizangue]], Cameroon<ref name=Bio/>
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height = 1.83 m<ref name=Bio/>
| position = [[Goalkeeper (association football)|Goalkeeper]]
| currentclub =
| youthyears1 = 1971–1974 | youthclubs1 = Éclair Douala
| years1 = 1974–1975 | clubs1 = [[Canon Yaoundé]] | caps1 = 3 | goals1 = 0
| years2 = 1975–1976 | clubs2 = [[Tonnerre Yaoundé]] | caps2 = 17 | goals2 = 0
| years3 = 1976–1982 | clubs3 = [[Canon Yaoundé]] | caps3 = 102 | goals3 = 0
| years4 = 1982–1990 | clubs4 = [[RCD Espanyol|Español]] | caps4 = 272 | goals4 = 0
| years5 = 1991–1993 | clubs5 = [[CE Sabadell FC|Sabadell]] | caps5 = 70 | goals5 = 0
| years6 = 1994 | clubs6 = [[CE L'Hospitalet|Hospitalet]] | caps6 = 0 | goals6 = 0
| years7 = 1994–1997 | clubs7 = [[Club Bolívar]] | caps7 = 92 | goals7 = 0
| totalcaps = 556 | totalgoals = 0
| nationalyears1 = 1975–1994 | nationalteam1 = [[Cameroon national football team|Cameroon]] | nationalcaps1 = 63 | nationalgoals1 = 0
| manageryears1 = 2009 | managerclubs1 = [[Cameroon national football team|Cameroon]]
| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's [[association football|football]]}}
{{MedalCountry|{{fb|CMR}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Africa Cup of Nations]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[1984 African Cup of Nations|1984 Ivory Coast]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[1986 Africa Cup of Nations|Egypt 1986]]|}}
}}
'''Thomas N'Kono''' (born 20 July 1956) is a Cameroonian former professional [[Association football|footballer]]. One of the greatest [[Goalkeeper (association football)|goalkeepers]] from the continent of Africa, he was mainly associated with [[RCD Espanyol|Espanyol]], whom he represented for almost a decade playing more than 300 official matches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hallofameperico.wordpress.com/category/hall-of-famers-del-rcde/nkono/|title=Tommy N'KONO|publisher=Hall of Fame Perico|language=es|date=21 May 2009|access-date=15 December 2009}}</ref>


N'Kono appeared for the [[Cameroon national football team|Cameroon national team]] in three [[FIFA World Cup|World Cups]], and four [[Africa Cup of Nations]] tournaments.
On club level he played for [[Canon Yaoundé]], [RCD Espanyol]], Mexico and in club [[Bolivar]] in Bolivia. He received the [[France Football African Footballer of the Year]] award in 1979 and 1982.


==Playing career==
[[Category:1956 births|N'Kono, Thomas]]
===Club===
[[Category:Living people|N'Kono, Thomas]]
N'Kono was born in [[Dizangue]]. After playing in his country with [[Canon Yaoundé]] and [[Tonnerre Yaoundé]] he moved to Spain with [[RCD Espanyol|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.<ref name=UEFA>{{cite news|url=https://www.elconfidencial.com/deportes/futbol/2021-04-12/n-kono-espanyol-camerun-italia-90-clemente_3014960/|title=N'Kono: "Aún no he podido ver repetida la final de la UEFA ante el Bayer Leverkusen"|trans-title=N'Kono: "I still have not been able to watch that UEFA final against Bayer Leverkusen again"|newspaper=[[El Confidencial]]|first=Albert|last=Ortega|language=es|date=12 April 2021|access-date=5 January 2022}}</ref>
[[Category:Cameroonian footballers|N'Kono, Thomas]]
[[Category:FIFA World Cup 1982 players|N'Kono, Thomas]]
[[Category:FIFA World Cup 1990 players|N'Kono, Thomas]]
[[Category:FIFA World Cup 1994 players|N'Kono, Thomas]]
[[Category:football (soccer) goalkeepers|N'Kono, Thomas]]


N'Kono hardly ever missed a game while with the [[Catalonia|Catalans]], going on to make 333 competitive appearances.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rcdespanyol.com/es/actualidad/_n:12265|title=La previa del Espanyol-Sabadell|trans-title=Espanyol-Sabadell preview|publisher=RCD Espanyol|language=es|date=19 February 2021|access-date=29 April 2021}}</ref> In the [[1988–89 La Liga|1988–89 season]], however, he was not able to help prevent the team's [[La Liga]] relegation, and was eventually replaced by [[Vicente Biurrun]].<ref name=UEFA/>
{{Cameroon Squad 1982 World Cup}}
{{Cameroon Squad 1990 World Cup}}
{{Cameroon Squad 1994 World Cup}}


N'Kono played three more years in Spain, incidentally also in Catalonia, with [[CE Sabadell FC]] ([[Segunda División]])<ref>{{cite news|url=https://elpais.com/diario/1991/06/27/deportes/677973612_850215.html|title=N'Kono ficha a los 35 años por el Sabadell|trans-title=N'Kono signs for Sabadell at the age of 35|newspaper=[[El País]]|language=es|date=26 June 1991|access-date=5 January 2022}}</ref> and [[CE L'Hospitalet]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1994/01/30/pagina-24/1290033/pdf.html#&mode=fullScreen|title=N'Kono: "Estoy preparado para jugar el Mundial"|trans-title=N'Kono: "I am ready to play the World Cup"|newspaper=[[Mundo Deportivo]]|language=es|date=30 January 1994|access-date=11 July 2015}}</ref> He retired in his 40s at [[Club Bolívar]] from Bolivia, and subsequently returned to his main club as a goalkeeping coach, helping develop young talent and countryman [[Carlos Kameni]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/4128549.stm|title=Kameni keeps Espanyol clean|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|first=Phil|last=Minshull|date=27 December 2004|access-date=15 December 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2011/05/19/barcelona/1305805070.html|title=De la Peña anuncia el final de su carrera profesional|trans-title=De la Peña announces end of professional career|newspaper=[[El Mundo (Spain)|El Mundo]]|language=es|date=19 May 2011|access-date=13 December 2011}}</ref>
{{Cameroon-footy-bio-stub}}


N'Kono placed second in [[IFFHS]]' "African Goalkeeper of the Century" elections, behind [[Joseph-Antoine Bell]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/iffhs-century.html|title=IFFHS' Century Elections|publisher=[[RSSSF]]|first=Karel|last=Stokkermans|date=30 January 2000|access-date=25 December 2009}}</ref>
[[ca:Thomas N'Kono]]

[[de:Thomas N'kono]]
===International===
[[es:Thomas N'Kono]]
A [[Cameroon national football team|Cameroonian international]] for almost two decades, N'Kono played at three [[FIFA World Cup|World Cups]]: [[1982 FIFA World Cup|1982]], [[1990 FIFA World Cup|1990]] and [[1994 FIFA World Cup|1994]]. In the first two, he was the starter as the nation went out in the group stage without losing a match and exited in the quarter-final against [[England national football team|England]] respectively.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/may/15/england-world-cup-italia-1990-gary-lineker-diego-maradona|title=England's performance at Italia 90 World Cup is venerated too much|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|first=Jonathan|last=Wilson|date=15 May 2014|access-date=5 November 2020}}</ref>
[[fr:Thomas Nkono]]

[[sl:Thomas N'Kono]]
The 37-year-old N'Kono was called as backup to Bell in the last minute of the 1994 edition's preparations and did not play.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/archives/article/1994/06/19/la-xve-coupe-du-monde-de-football-eternel-cameroun-les-lions-toujours-la-et-toujours-la-meme-pagaille_3822761_1819218.html|title=LA XVe COUPE DU MONDE DE FOOTBALL {{!}} Eternel Cameroun Les "Lions", toujours là et toujours la même pagaille|trans-title=XV FOOTBALL WORLD CUP {{!}} Eternal Cameroon The "Lions", always there and always the same mess|newspaper=[[Le Monde]]|language=fr|date=19 June 1994|access-date=5 November 2020}}</ref>

==Coaching career==
N'Kono served as assistant coach to the Cameroon national team, at the same time as being goalkeeping coach at former club Espanyol.<ref>{{cite book|title=Feet of the Chameleon: The Story of African Football|first=Ian|last=Hawkey|publisher=Portico|year=2010|page=263}}</ref> In 2002, he was arrested by Malian police for allegedly using "[[black magic]]", prior to the [[2002 African Cup of Nations|African Cup of Nations]] semi-final against [[Mali national football team|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]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/cup_of_nations/1807717.stm|title=Nkono in 'black magic' claim|publisher=BBC Sport|date=7 February 2002|access-date=15 December 2009}}</ref> and eventually received a one-year ban,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/cup_of_nations/1810988.stm|title=Nkono gets one-year ban|publisher=BBC Sport|date=9 February 2002|access-date=15 December 2009}}</ref> which was then lifted, although he was not allowed to sit on the bench for the final;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/1933323.stm|title=Nkono ban lifted|publisher=BBC Sport|date=16 April 2002|access-date=15 December 2009}}</ref> the former also received an apology from the office of the Malian president.<ref>{{cite book|title=Feet of the Chameleon: The Story of African Football|first=Ian|last=Hawkey|publisher=Portico|year=2010|page=264}}</ref>

N'Kono, who was the national side's goalkeepers coach, also worked briefly as [[Interim management|interim manager]] after German [[Otto Pfister]] resigned in protest.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/8079751.stm|title=Nkono is Cameroon caretaker|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2 June 2009|access-date=15 December 2009}}</ref> The following month, as [[Paul Le Guen]] took the reins of the team, he was reset in his old post.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sport-ivoire.ci/node/28717|title=Cameroun: Le Guen garde N'Kono|trans-title=Cameroon: Le Guen keeps N'Kono|publisher=Sport Ivoire|language=fr|date=29 July 2009|access-date=11 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.postnewsline.com/2010/02/songoo-replaces-nkono-as-lions-goalkeeping-coach.html|title=Songo'o replaces N'Kono as Lions goalkeeping coach|publisher=Post Newsline|date=19 February 2010|access-date=11 April 2018}}</ref>

==Style of play==
N'Kono was a tall, strong, dynamic and athletic goalkeeper, who was known in particular for his speed, agility, reactions, positioning, and ability to produce spectacular and acrobatic saves. One of his most notable characteristics was his ability to come out and punch the ball away with power when crosses were delivered into the area; his unique, instinctive and aggressive style inspired [[Gianluigi Buffon]] as a youngster.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/live-scores/news/y=2008/m=8/news=nkono-the-acrobatic-pioneer-838436.html|title=Nkono, the acrobatic pioneer|publisher=FIFA|date=5 August 2008|access-date=19 October 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020173201/http://www.fifa.com/live-scores/news/y=2008/m=8/news=nkono-the-acrobatic-pioneer-838436.html|archive-date=20 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/it/news/2/serie-a/2009/02/27/1130672/buffon-rispolvera-i-ricordi-da-nkono-al-parma-e-quel-rigore|title=Buffon rispolvera i ricordi, da N'kono al Parma e quel rigore-scudetto contro la Juve: "Pensai che l'arbitro..."|trans-title=Buffon dusts off his memories, from N'Kono to Parma and that title-deciding penalty against Juve: "I thought that the ref..."|publisher=[[Goal (website)|Goal]]|language=it|date=27 February 2009|access-date=4 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Estero/03-06-2009/n-kono-ct-camerun-50484449798.shtml|title=N'Kono c.t. del Camerun – Il mito che ispirò Buffon|trans-title=N'Kono Cameroon h.c. – The legend who inspired Buffon|newspaper=[[La Gazzetta dello Sport]]|first=Valerio|last=Clari|language=it|date=3 June 2009|access-date=19 October 2016}}</ref>

A commanding presence in goal, N'Kono also stood out for his composure, confidence and leadership throughout his career. In addition to his goalkeeping abilities, he was also known for his moustache and for wearing long trackpants instead of shorts; furthermore, he also had a penchant for performing flamboyant and acrobatic celebrations during matches. Unlike compatriot Bell, he preferred to position himself in deeper areas, rather than rushing out to sweep up the ball.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportmediaset.mediaset.it/calcio/calcio_la_nazionale/articoli/30342/italia-camerun-e-l-accusa-di-combine.shtml|title=Italia-Camerun e l'accusa di combine|trans-title=Italy-Cameroon and the match-fixing accusations|publisher=Mediaset|language=it|date=2 March 2010|access-date=19 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.corrieredellosport.it/334/2012/04/23-235232/Vi+ricordate+N'Kono%3F+Noi+vi+diciamo+come+vive|title=Vi ricordate N'Kono? Noi vi diciamo come vive|trans-title=Do you remember N'Kono? We'll tell you how he lives|newspaper=[[Corriere dello Sport – Stadio|Corriere dello Sport]]|first=Pietro|last=Cabras|language=it|date=23 April 2012|access-date=19 October 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130423145347/http://www.corrieredellosport.it/334/2012/04/23-235232/Vi+ricordate+N%27Kono%3F+Noi+vi+diciamo+come+vive|archive-date=23 April 2013}}</ref><ref name=FIFA>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/news/newsid=2065717/|title=Buffon: A big save is as important as a goal|publisher=FIFA|date=6 May 2013|access-date=5 May 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606235939/http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/news/newsid=2065717/|archive-date=6 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.corrieredellosport.it/calcio/serie_a/juve/2013/12/27-345420/Buffon%3A+%C2%ABContro+i+portieri+regole+disumane%C2%BB|title=Buffon: "Contro i portieri regole disumane"|trans-title=Buffon: "Inhumane regulations against goalkeepers"|newspaper=Corriere dello Sport|language=it|date=27 December 2013|access-date=19 October 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20160211000306/http://www.corrieredellosport.it/calcio/serie_a/juve/2013/12/27-345420/Buffon:+%C2%ABContro+i+portieri+regole+disumane%C2%BB|archive-date=11 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.us/fifa-world-cup/4/blog/post/1822419/best-xi-of-the-world-cups-greatest-goalkeepers|title=Best XI of the World Cup's greatest goalkeepers|publisher=[[ESPN FC]]|first=James|last=Horncastle|date=15 May 2014|access-date=19 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://sport.sky.it/calcio/mondiali/fotogallery/2014/06/02/verso_mondiale_countdown_numeri_1_panoramica_migliori.html#8|title=Mondiali, -1: da Yashin a Buffon, i portieri nella storia|trans-title=World Cup, one day left: from Yashin to Buffon, the goalkeepers who made history|publisher=[[Sky Sport (Italy)|Sky Sport]]|language=it|date=11 June 2014|access-date=19 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://fr.fifa.com/photos/galleries/y=2016/m=2/gallery=qui-sont-les-idoles-de-vos-idoles-2766051.html#2766062|title=Qui sont les idoles de vos idoles?|trans-title=Who are the idols of your idols?|publisher=FIFA|language=fr|date=19 February 2016|access-date=19 October 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160825044153/http://fr.fifa.com/photos/galleries/y=2016/m=2/gallery=qui-sont-les-idoles-de-vos-idoles-2766051.html#2766062|archive-date=25 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2016/m=3/news=nkono-i-m-honoured-to-be-buffon-s-inspiration-2771446.html|title=Nkono: I'm honoured to be Buffon's inspiration|publisher=FIFA|date=21 March 2016|access-date=19 October 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402163034/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2016/m=3/news=nkono-i-m-honoured-to-be-buffon-s-inspiration-2771446.html|archive-date=2 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2018/sep/07/david-de-gea-manchester-united-spain-goalkeeper|title=Why is David de Gea exceptional for United and indifferent for Spain?|newspaper=The Guardian|first=Jonathan|last=Wilson|date=7 September 2018|access-date=4 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theplayerstribune.com/articles/gigi-buffon-letter-to-my-younger-self|title=Letter to my younger self|publisher=The Players' Tribune|first=Gianluigi|last=Buffon|date=14 October 2019|access-date=14 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|first=Mauricio|last=Velázquez de León|title=20 Soccer Legends|date=2010|publisher=Rosen Publishing|location=New York|isbn=978-1-4358-9136-4|page=32|edition=First}}</ref>

==Legacy==
Buffon declared that he decided to play in the goalkeeping position after seeing N'Kono's performances at the 1990 World Cup. In addition, he named his first son Louis Thomas in the Cameroonian's honour.<ref name=FIFA/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/football-mondial-2010/2010/06/14/02022-20100614ARTSPO00434-conserver-notre-titre-ne-sera-pas-facile.php|title="Difficile de garder notre titre"|trans-title="Hard to defend our title"|newspaper=[[Le Figaro]]|language=fr|date=14 June 2010|access-date=18 December 2013}}</ref>

==Honours==
'''Canon Yaoundé'''
*[[Elite One]]: 1974, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1982<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesk/kamchamp.html|title=Cameroon – List of Champions|publisher=RSSSF|first=Hans|last=Schöggl|access-date=24 June 2016}}</ref>
*[[CAF Champions League]]: [[1978 African Cup of Champions Clubs|1978]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup78.html|title=African Club Competitions 1978|publisher=RSSSF|first=Eric|last=Boesenberg|access-date=24 June 2016}}</ref> [[1980 African Cup of Champions Clubs|1980]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/afcup80.html|title=African Club Competitions 1980|publisher=RSSSF|first=Eric|last=Boesenberg|access-date=24 June 2016}}</ref>

'''Espanyol'''
*[[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]] runner-up: [[1987–88 UEFA Cup|1987–88]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season=1987/matches/round=610/match=4925/postmatch/lineups/index.html|title=Leverkusen 3–0 Espanyol|publisher=UEFA|date=18 May 1988|access-date=24 June 2016}}</ref>

'''Bolívar'''
*[[Liga de Fútbol Profesional Boliviano]]: 1996, [[1997 Liga de Fútbol Profesional Boliviano|1997]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2016/05/21/primera/1463786021_874075.html|title=N'Kono y sus vivencias en Bolivia, donde es un héroe con récord|trans-title=N’Kono and his experiences in Bolivia, where he is a heroe with a record|newspaper=[[Diario AS]]|first=Alberto|last=Martínez|language=es|date=21 May 2016|access-date=24 June 2016}}</ref>

'''Cameroon'''
*[[Africa Cup of Nations]]: [[1984 African Cup of Nations|1984]];<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/84a.html|title=African Nations Cup 1984|publisher=RSSSF|first1=Eric|last1=Boesenberg|first2=Karel|last2=Stokkermans|first3=François|last3=Mazet|access-date=24 June 2016}}</ref> runner-up: [[1986 African Cup of Nations|1986]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/86a.html|title=African Nations Cup 1986|publisher=RSSSF|first1=Eric|last1=Boesenberg|first2=François|last2=Mazet|first3=Karel|last3=Stokkermans|first4=Osvaldo José|last4=Gorgazzi|access-date=24 June 2016}}</ref>

'''Individual'''
*[[African Player of the Year]]: 1979, 1982<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/afr-poy.html|title=African Player of the Year|publisher=RSSSF|first=José Luis|last=Pierrend|access-date=24 June 2016}}</ref>

*La Liga Team of The Year: [[1982–83 La Liga|1982–83]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1983/05/04/pagina-14/1094059/pdf.html|title=El futbolista del año 82–83|trans-title=The 82–83 footballer of the year|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|first=Josep María|last=Ribera|language=es|date=4 May 1983|access-date=30 October 2024}}</ref> [[1985–86 La Liga|1985–86]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1986/04/22/pagina-13/1141649/pdf.html|title=Clasificación por puestos|trans-title=Ranking by positions|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|language=es|date=22 April 1986|access-date=30 October 2024}}</ref> [[1988–89 La Liga|1988–89]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/1989/06/27/pagina-20/1192483/pdf.html|title=El futbolista del año 88–89|trans-title=The 88–89 footballer of the year|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|first=Josep María|last=Ribera Font|language=es|date=27 June 1989|access-date=30 October 2024}}</ref>
*[[World Team of the 20th Century|MasterCard African Team of the 20th Century]]: 1998<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soccertimes.com/international/1998/may15.htm|title=Ramos, Balboa named to MasterCard CONCACAF 20th Century team.|publisher=Soccer Times|first=Jerry|last=Langdon|date=15 May 1998|access-date=5 February 2024|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990221145250/http://www.soccertimes.com/international/1998/may15.htm|archive-date=21 February 1999}}</ref>
*[[International Federation of Football History & Statistics]] All-time Africa Men's Dream Team: 2021<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iffhs.com/posts/1121|title=IFFHS All Time Europe men's Dream Team|publisher=[[International Federation of Football History & Statistics]]|date=29 May 2021|access-date=2 October 2021}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{BDFutbol|2820}}
*{{NFT player|14808}}
*{{FIFA player|174794}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20071108201752/http://www.camlions.com/fr/indexlions.php?nid=10194&tid=77&seite=&wid=13 Biography at CamLions] {{in lang|fr}}

{{Navboxes
|title=Cameroon squads
|bg=#007A5E
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|bordercolor=#CE1126
|list1=
{{Cameroon squad 1982 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Cameroon squad 1986 African Cup of Nations}}
{{Cameroon squad 1990 African Cup of Nations}}
{{Cameroon squad 1990 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Cameroon squad 1994 FIFA World Cup}}
}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = gold
| fg = navy
| list =
{{1982 Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament}}
{{1986 Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament}}
{{African Footballer of the Year}}
}}
{{Cameroon national football team managers}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nkono, Thomas}}
[[Category:1956 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Littoral Region (Cameroon)]]
[[Category:Cameroonian men's footballers]]
[[Category:Men's association football goalkeepers]]
[[Category:Canon Yaoundé players]]
[[Category:Tonnerre Yaoundé players]]
[[Category:La Liga players]]
[[Category:Segunda División players]]
[[Category:RCD Espanyol footballers]]
[[Category:CE Sabadell FC footballers]]
[[Category:CE L'Hospitalet players]]
[[Category:Bolivian Primera División players]]
[[Category:Club Bolívar players]]
[[Category:Cameroon men's international footballers]]
[[Category:1982 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:1990 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:1994 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:1982 African Cup of Nations players]]
[[Category:1984 African Cup of Nations players]]
[[Category:1986 African Cup of Nations players]]
[[Category:1990 African Cup of Nations players]]
[[Category:Africa Cup of Nations–winning players]]
[[Category:Cameroonian expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Spain]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Bolivia]]
[[Category:Cameroonian expatriate sportspeople in Spain]]
[[Category:Cameroonian expatriate sportspeople in Bolivia]]
[[Category:African Footballer of the Year winners]]
[[Category:Cameroonian football managers]]
[[Category:Cameroon national football team managers]]
[[Category:RCD Espanyol non-playing staff]]

Latest revision as of 11:32, 5 January 2025

Thomas N'Kono
N'Kono training with Espanyol (GK coach)
Personal information
Date of birth (1956-07-20) 20 July 1956 (age 68)[1]
Place of birth Dizangue, Cameroon[1]
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[1]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
1971–1974 Éclair Douala
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1974–1975 Canon Yaoundé 3 (0)
1975–1976 Tonnerre Yaoundé 17 (0)
1976–1982 Canon Yaoundé 102 (0)
1982–1990 Español 272 (0)
1991–1993 Sabadell 70 (0)
1994 Hospitalet 0 (0)
1994–1997 Club Bolívar 92 (0)
Total 556 (0)
International career
1975–1994 Cameroon 63 (0)
Managerial career
2009 Cameroon
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Cameroon
Africa Cup of Nations
Winner 1984 Ivory Coast
Runner-up Egypt 1986
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Thomas N'Kono (born 20 July 1956) is a Cameroonian former professional footballer. One of the greatest goalkeepers from the continent of Africa, he was mainly associated with Espanyol, whom he represented for almost a decade playing more than 300 official matches.[2]

N'Kono appeared for the Cameroon national team in three World Cups, and four Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.

Playing career

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Club

[edit]

N'Kono 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.[3]

N'Kono hardly ever missed a game while with the Catalans, going on to make 333 competitive appearances.[4] In the 1988–89 season, however, he was not able to help prevent the team's La Liga relegation, and was eventually replaced by Vicente Biurrun.[3]

N'Kono played three more years in Spain, incidentally also in Catalonia, with CE Sabadell FC (Segunda División)[5] and CE L'Hospitalet.[6] He retired in his 40s at Club Bolívar from Bolivia, and subsequently returned to his main club as a goalkeeping coach, helping develop young talent and countryman Carlos Kameni.[7][8]

N'Kono placed second in IFFHS' "African Goalkeeper of the Century" elections, behind Joseph-Antoine Bell.[9]

International

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A Cameroonian international for almost two decades, N'Kono played at three World Cups: 1982, 1990 and 1994. In the first two, he was the starter as the nation went out in the group stage without losing a match and exited in the quarter-final against England respectively.[10]

The 37-year-old N'Kono was called as backup to Bell in the last minute of the 1994 edition's preparations and did not play.[11]

Coaching career

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N'Kono served as assistant coach to the Cameroon national team, at the same time as being goalkeeping coach at former club Espanyol.[12] In 2002, he was arrested by Malian 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,[13] and eventually received a one-year ban,[14] which was then lifted, although he was not allowed to sit on the bench for the final;[15] the former also received an apology from the office of the Malian president.[16]

N'Kono, who was the national side's goalkeepers coach, also worked briefly as interim manager after German Otto Pfister resigned in protest.[17] The following month, as Paul Le Guen took the reins of the team, he was reset in his old post.[18][19]

Style of play

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N'Kono was a tall, strong, dynamic and athletic goalkeeper, who was known in particular for his speed, agility, reactions, positioning, and ability to produce spectacular and acrobatic saves. One of his most notable characteristics was his ability to come out and punch the ball away with power when crosses were delivered into the area; his unique, instinctive and aggressive style inspired Gianluigi Buffon as a youngster.[20][21][22]

A commanding presence in goal, N'Kono also stood out for his composure, confidence and leadership throughout his career. In addition to his goalkeeping abilities, he was also known for his moustache and for wearing long trackpants instead of shorts; furthermore, he also had a penchant for performing flamboyant and acrobatic celebrations during matches. Unlike compatriot Bell, he preferred to position himself in deeper areas, rather than rushing out to sweep up the ball.[23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33]

Legacy

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Buffon declared that he decided to play in the goalkeeping position after seeing N'Kono's performances at the 1990 World Cup. In addition, he named his first son Louis Thomas in the Cameroonian's honour.[25][34]

Honours

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Canon Yaoundé

Espanyol

Bolívar

Cameroon

Individual

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Thomas N'Kono at WorldFootball.net
  2. ^ "Tommy N'KONO" (in Spanish). Hall of Fame Perico. 21 May 2009. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
  3. ^ a b Ortega, Albert (12 April 2021). "N'Kono: "Aún no he podido ver repetida la final de la UEFA ante el Bayer Leverkusen"" [N'Kono: "I still have not been able to watch that UEFA final against Bayer Leverkusen again"]. El Confidencial (in Spanish). Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  4. ^ "La previa del Espanyol-Sabadell" [Espanyol-Sabadell preview] (in Spanish). RCD Espanyol. 19 February 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  5. ^ "N'Kono ficha a los 35 años por el Sabadell" [N'Kono signs for Sabadell at the age of 35]. El País (in Spanish). 26 June 1991. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  6. ^ "N'Kono: "Estoy preparado para jugar el Mundial"" [N'Kono: "I am ready to play the World Cup"]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 30 January 1994. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  7. ^ Minshull, Phil (27 December 2004). "Kameni keeps Espanyol clean". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
  8. ^ "De la Peña anuncia el final de su carrera profesional" [De la Peña announces end of professional career]. El Mundo (in Spanish). 19 May 2011. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
  9. ^ Stokkermans, Karel (30 January 2000). "IFFHS' Century Elections". RSSSF. Retrieved 25 December 2009.
  10. ^ Wilson, Jonathan (15 May 2014). "England's performance at Italia 90 World Cup is venerated too much". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  11. ^ "LA XVe COUPE DU MONDE DE FOOTBALL | Eternel Cameroun Les "Lions", toujours là et toujours la même pagaille" [XV FOOTBALL WORLD CUP | Eternal Cameroon The "Lions", always there and always the same mess]. Le Monde (in French). 19 June 1994. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  12. ^ Hawkey, Ian (2010). Feet of the Chameleon: The Story of African Football. Portico. p. 263.
  13. ^ "Nkono in 'black magic' claim". BBC Sport. 7 February 2002. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
  14. ^ "Nkono gets one-year ban". BBC Sport. 9 February 2002. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
  15. ^ "Nkono ban lifted". BBC Sport. 16 April 2002. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
  16. ^ Hawkey, Ian (2010). Feet of the Chameleon: The Story of African Football. Portico. p. 264.
  17. ^ "Nkono is Cameroon caretaker". BBC Sport. 2 June 2009. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
  18. ^ "Cameroun: Le Guen garde N'Kono" [Cameroon: Le Guen keeps N'Kono] (in French). Sport Ivoire. 29 July 2009. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
  19. ^ "Songo'o replaces N'Kono as Lions goalkeeping coach". Post Newsline. 19 February 2010. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
  20. ^ "Nkono, the acrobatic pioneer". FIFA. 5 August 2008. Archived from the original on 20 October 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  21. ^ "Buffon rispolvera i ricordi, da N'kono al Parma e quel rigore-scudetto contro la Juve: "Pensai che l'arbitro..."" [Buffon dusts off his memories, from N'Kono to Parma and that title-deciding penalty against Juve: "I thought that the ref..."] (in Italian). Goal. 27 February 2009. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  22. ^ Clari, Valerio (3 June 2009). "N'Kono c.t. del Camerun – Il mito che ispirò Buffon" [N'Kono Cameroon h.c. – The legend who inspired Buffon]. La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  23. ^ "Italia-Camerun e l'accusa di combine" [Italy-Cameroon and the match-fixing accusations] (in Italian). Mediaset. 2 March 2010. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  24. ^ Cabras, Pietro (23 April 2012). "Vi ricordate N'Kono? Noi vi diciamo come vive" [Do you remember N'Kono? We'll tell you how he lives]. Corriere dello Sport (in Italian). Archived from the original on 23 April 2013. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  25. ^ a b "Buffon: A big save is as important as a goal". FIFA. 6 May 2013. Archived from the original on 6 June 2013. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  26. ^ "Buffon: "Contro i portieri regole disumane"" [Buffon: "Inhumane regulations against goalkeepers"]. Corriere dello Sport (in Italian). 27 December 2013. Archived from the original on 11 February 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  27. ^ Horncastle, James (15 May 2014). "Best XI of the World Cup's greatest goalkeepers". ESPN FC. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  28. ^ "Mondiali, -1: da Yashin a Buffon, i portieri nella storia" [World Cup, one day left: from Yashin to Buffon, the goalkeepers who made history] (in Italian). Sky Sport. 11 June 2014. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  29. ^ "Qui sont les idoles de vos idoles?" [Who are the idols of your idols?] (in French). FIFA. 19 February 2016. Archived from the original on 25 August 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  30. ^ "Nkono: I'm honoured to be Buffon's inspiration". FIFA. 21 March 2016. Archived from the original on 2 April 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  31. ^ Wilson, Jonathan (7 September 2018). "Why is David de Gea exceptional for United and indifferent for Spain?". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  32. ^ Buffon, Gianluigi (14 October 2019). "Letter to my younger self". The Players' Tribune. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
  33. ^ Velázquez de León, Mauricio (2010). 20 Soccer Legends (First ed.). New York: Rosen Publishing. p. 32. ISBN 978-1-4358-9136-4.
  34. ^ ""Difficile de garder notre titre"" ["Hard to defend our title"]. Le Figaro (in French). 14 June 2010. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  35. ^ Schöggl, Hans. "Cameroon – List of Champions". RSSSF. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
  36. ^ Boesenberg, Eric. "African Club Competitions 1978". RSSSF. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
  37. ^ Boesenberg, Eric. "African Club Competitions 1980". RSSSF. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
  38. ^ "Leverkusen 3–0 Espanyol". UEFA. 18 May 1988. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
  39. ^ Martínez, Alberto (21 May 2016). "N'Kono y sus vivencias en Bolivia, donde es un héroe con récord" [N’Kono and his experiences in Bolivia, where he is a heroe with a record]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 24 June 2016.
  40. ^ Boesenberg, Eric; Stokkermans, Karel; Mazet, François. "African Nations Cup 1984". RSSSF. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
  41. ^ Boesenberg, Eric; Mazet, François; Stokkermans, Karel; Gorgazzi, Osvaldo José. "African Nations Cup 1986". RSSSF. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
  42. ^ Pierrend, José Luis. "African Player of the Year". RSSSF. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
  43. ^ Ribera, Josep María (4 May 1983). "El futbolista del año 82–83" [The 82–83 footballer of the year]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  44. ^ "Clasificación por puestos" [Ranking by positions]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 22 April 1986. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  45. ^ Ribera Font, Josep María (27 June 1989). "El futbolista del año 88–89" [The 88–89 footballer of the year]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  46. ^ Langdon, Jerry (15 May 1998). "Ramos, Balboa named to MasterCard CONCACAF 20th Century team". Soccer Times. Archived from the original on 21 February 1999. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  47. ^ "IFFHS All Time Europe men's Dream Team". International Federation of Football History & Statistics. 29 May 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
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