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Achille Emaná

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Achille Emaná
Emaná with Cameroon in 2009
Personal information
Full name Achille Emaná Edzimbi[1]
Date of birth (1982-06-05) 5 June 1982 (age 44)[1]
Place of birth Yaoundé, Cameroon[1]
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[1]
Position Attacking midfielder
Youth career
1997–1999 Babimbi Douala
1999–2000 Valencia
2000–2001 Toulouse
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2008 Toulouse 231 (28)
2008–2011 Betis 91 (34)
2011–2012 Al Hilal 11 (4)
2012 → Al-Ahli (loan) 11 (2)
2012–2013 Al-Ahli 12 (4)
2013 → Al Wasl (loan) 11 (3)
2013–2015 Cruz Azul 15 (1)
2015 → Atlante (loan) 9 (0)
2015–2016 Gimnàstic 39 (9)
2016 Tokushima Vortis 0 (0)
2017 Gimnàstic 16 (4)
2017–2018 Mumbai City 18 (3)
2018–2019 Gerena 0 (0)
2019 Badalona 0 (0)
2019–2020 SS Reyes 12 (1)
2020 Jaén 0 (0)
Total 476 (93)
International career
2003–2013 Cameroon 42 (6)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Cameroon
Africa Cup of Nations
Runner-up2008 Ghana
FIFA Confederations Cup
Runner-up2003 France
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Achille Emaná Edzimbi (born 5 June 1982), known as Emaná, is a Cameroonian former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder.

He spent most of his senior career with Toulouse in France and Betis in Spain, playing his later years in Arab countries, Mexico, Japan and India. This included two spells at Gimnàstic.

Emaná appeared 42 times for Cameroon, representing the country at the 2010 World Cup and three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.

Club career

[edit]

Toulouse

[edit]

Emaná was born in Yaoundé. After a brief youth spell in Spain with Valencia CF, he moved in 2000 to France and joined Toulouse FC.[2] The following year, the 19-year-old became a starter for the Ligue 2 club, never playing less than 32 games in his first four seasons and helping the Haute-Garonne team to achieve promotion to Ligue 1 in 2002–03.[3][4][5]

In summer 2006, Emaná was strongly linked with Portsmouth from the Premier League. He was unable, however, to obtain a work permit,[6][7][8][9] and subsequently signed a new contract with Toulouse until 2011.[10]

In the 2006–07 campaign, Emaná scored eight goals in 36 matches as the club finished a best-ever third in the top division and qualified for the UEFA Champions League.[11][12][5] He took part in both legs of the 5–0 aggregate loss against Liverpool in the third qualifying round.[13][14]

Emaná finished in 17th position in his last year at the Stadium de Toulouse, with his team being the first placed outside of the relegation zone.[15]

Betis

[edit]

On 11 June 2008, Real Betis began negotiations with Toulouse for Emaná; the player was quoted as being keen to secure a move to Spain to further his career, even though his current club had apparently already rejected two bids for his signature.[16] On 22 July, he finally completed his transfer for a fee of £5.5 million.[17]

Emaná scored his first goal for Betis on 19 October 2008, in a 3–0 home win over RCD Mallorca.[18] In mid-April 2009, he added braces against Racing de Santander (3–2 away victory)[19] and Sporting de Gijón (2–0 at home),[20] finishing his first season with 11 goals – squad-best – and seven assists, but the Andalusians were relegated in the last matchday.[21]

In spite of heavy speculation about his future,[22] Emaná continued to be an essential unit in the following Segunda División seasons. The attacking trio of himself and strikers Rubén Castro and Jorge Molina combined for more than 50 league goals in 2010–11 as his side returned to the top flight after two years of absence.[23][24]

Later career

[edit]

On 11 August 2011, Emaná moved to Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal SFC in a deal worth US$6 million.[25] In January 2012, he was loaned to United Arab Emirates' Shabab Al Ahli Club until June, and the move was made permanent on 27 July.[26]

On 22 January 2013, Emaná was loaned to Al Wasl F.C. also from the UAE Pro League until the end of the season, mainly as a replacement to long-term injured Mariano Donda.[27] On 27 August, when his loan expired, he agreed to a permanent deal with Cruz Azul from Mexico.[28]

Emaná signed with Atlante F.C. on 17 December 2014 on loan until June,[29] after being transfer listed.[30] On 24 July 2015, already as a free agent, he joined Gimnàstic de Tarragona initially on trial,[31] and subsequently signed a one-year contract.[32]

On 20 July 2016, Emaná switched teams and countries again, joining Tokushima Vortis.[33] With no appearances to his credit for the J2 League side, he returned to Nàstic on 12 December.[34]

In August 2017, the 35-year-old Emaná was transferred to Indian Super League side Mumbai City FC for the upcoming season.[35] In October 2018, he returned to Spain with CD Gerena of Tercera División,[36] and the following January moved to Segunda División B with CF Badalona;[37] he failed to make an appearance for either team, mainly due to bureaucratic problems,[38] then joined UD San Sebastián de los Reyes in August,[39] leaving on 21 January 2020.[40]

Emaná signed for Real Jaén in summer 2020.[41]

International career

[edit]

Having made his debut on 11 February 2003 in a 3–0 friendly loss against Ivory Coast in Châteauroux,[42] Emaná was part of Cameroon's squad at that year's FIFA Confederations Cup.[43] He also appeared for the country in the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations, where his side exited in the quarter-finals.[44]

In July 2007, frustrated with the treatment he received whilst at the service of the national team, Emaná retired from international play.[45] He returned shortly after,[46] appearing in the 2008 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations where he scored against Zambia in a 5–1 group stage win;[47] they eventually lost the final to Egypt.[48]

Emaná represented Cameroon at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa,[49] playing two games – two defeats – in a group-stage exit. He won 42 caps and scored six goals in ten years.[42]

Personal life

[edit]

Emaná's younger brother, Stephane, was also a footballer. A forward, he too had spells at Betis (youth only) and Gimnàstic.[50][51]

After retiring, Emaná worked as a model.[52]

Career statistics

[edit]

International

[edit]
Appearances and goals by national team and year[53]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Cameroon 200330
200420
200520
200620
200710
2008112
200962
2010101
201110
201231
201310
Total 426
Scores and results list Cameroon's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Emaná goal.
List of international goals scored by Achille Emaná
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1 26 January 2008 Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi, Ghana  Zambia 3–0 5–1 2008 Africa Cup of Nations [54]
2 6 September 2008 Estádio da Várzea, Praia, Cape Verde  Cape Verde 1–1 2–1 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification [55]
3 5 September 2009 Stade Omar Bongo, Libreville, Gabon  Gabon 1–0 2–0 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification [56]
4 10 October 2009 Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, Yaoundé, Cameroon  Togo 3–0 3–0 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification [57]
5 9 January 2010 Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, Kenya  Kenya 2–1 3–1 Friendly [58]
6 14 October 2012 Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, Yaoundé, Cameroon  Cape Verde 1–1 2–1 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification [59]

Honours

[edit]

Toulouse

Betis

Al Ahli

Cruz Azul

Cameroon

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 3 4 Achille Emaná at WorldFootball.net
  2. ↑ "Emaná para lo bueno y para lo malo" [Emaná for good and bad]. El País (in Spanish). 19 June 2010. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  3. ↑ Badouard, Stéphane (12 July 2008). "TFC-Achille Emana, le chant du départ" [TFC-Achille Emaná, the swan song]. La Dépêche du Midi (in French). Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  4. ↑ "Cameroun: Un Lion au Bétis Séville" [Cameroon: A Lion at Betis Seville] (in French). allAfrica. 23 July 2008. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  5. 1 2 Kachour, Walid (27 January 2020). "Toulouse: pour Achille Emana, les joueurs "n'ont rien à foutre" de la situation du club" [Toulouse: for Achille Emaná, the players "don't give a damn" about the club's situation] (in French). RMC. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  6. ↑ Picard, Laurent (2006). "Emana wants Pompey move". Sky Sports. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  7. ↑ Picard, Laurent (2006). "Emana keeps up Pompey hope". Sky Sports. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  8. ↑ "Birmingham fail to sign Michel from Sporting Gijon". The Guardian. 1 September 2009. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  9. ↑ McMahon, Mark (25 May 2020). "On this day: Achille Emana keen on Portsmouth move despite interest from Arsenal, Lyon and Everton". The News. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  10. ↑ Ryder, Lee (27 February 2013). "Toon weight up Emana swoop". Evening Chronicle. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  11. ↑ "Achille Emana en plein régime" [Achille Emana unchecked] (in French). Camfoot. 9 December 2008. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  12. ↑ "(Documentaire) 2006–2007: quand le TFC accrochait le podium de la Ligue 1" [(Documentary) 2006–2007: When TFC reached the Ligue 1 podium] (in French). So Foot. 30 May 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  13. ↑ Sanghera, Mandeep (15 August 2007). "Toulouse 0–1 Liverpool". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  14. ↑ Bevan, Chris (28 August 2007). "Liverpool 4–0 Toulouse (5–0)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  15. ↑ "Emana parti pour rester au TFC" [Emana is set to stay at TFC] (in French). Radio France Internationale. 9 July 2008. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  16. ↑ "Magpies chasing Toulouse midfielder". RTÉ. 27 May 2008. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  17. ↑ "Emana earns Betis move". Sky Sports. 22 July 2008. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  18. ↑ "Real Betis 3–0 Mallorca". ESPN Soccernet. 19 October 2008. Archived from the original on 26 October 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
  19. ↑ "Racing Santander 2–3 Real Betis". ESPN Soccernet. 12 April 2009. Archived from the original on 26 October 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
  20. ↑ "Real Betis 2–0 Sporting Gijón". ESPN Soccernet. 19 April 2009. Archived from the original on 26 October 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
  21. ↑ "Emaná asegura que "pronto" habrá un solución buena para todas las partes" [Emaná assures that a solution that will please everyone is "near"]. Marca (in Spanish). 21 August 2009. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
  22. ↑ "Emana: "Dejar el Betis está lejos en estos momentos"" [Emana: "Leaving Betis is far away right now"]. Diario de Sevilla (in Spanish). 17 July 2009. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  23. ↑ "El poderoso tridente del Betis" [Betis' powerful trio]. El País (in Spanish). 28 April 2011. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  24. ↑ Espina, José A. (4 September 2011). "Molina y Rubén prometen goles también en Primera" [Molina and Rubén also promise goals in Primera]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 March 2014.
  25. ↑ Sannie, Ibrahim (11 August 2011). "Cameroon's Achille Emana joins Saudi side Al Hilal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  26. ↑ Passela, Amith (27 July 2012). "Deal for midfielder Emana completes Al Ahli's foreign quartet". The National. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  27. ↑ Rizvi, Ahmed (22 January 2013). "Al Wasl turn to Al Ahli's Achille Emana to bail them out of injury woes". The National. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  28. ↑ Altamirano, Víctor (27 August 2013). "Cruz Azul da la bienvenida a Achille Emana" [Cruz Azul welcomes Achille Emana]. Excélsior (in Spanish). Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  29. ↑ "Achille Emaná, nuevo refuerzo del Atlante" [Achille Emaná, new addition of Atlante] (in Spanish). Goal. 17 December 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  30. ↑ Cariño, Ricardo (2 June 2014). "Luis Fernando Tena: Yo decidí que Achille Emaná saliera de Cruz Azul" [Luis Fernando Tena: I decided that Achille Emaná will leave Cruz Azul] (in Spanish). ESPN Deportes. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  31. ↑ "Achille Emaná entrenará con el Nàstic" [Achille Emaná will train with Nàstic] (in Spanish). Gimnàstic Tarragona. 24 July 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  32. ↑ "Emaná y Gal Arael, nuevos fichajes del Nàstic" [Emaná and Gal Arael, new signings of Nàstic] (in Spanish). Gimnàstic Tarragona. 1 August 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  33. ↑ "Achille Emaná a la Segunda División de Japón" [Achille Emaná to the Second Division of Japan] (in Spanish). Goal. 20 July 2016. Retrieved 25 December 2016.
  34. ↑ "Achille Emaná i el Nàstic arriben a un acord" [Achille Emaná and Nàstic reach an agreement] (in Catalan). Gimnàstic Tarragona. 12 December 2016. Archived from the original on 26 December 2016. Retrieved 25 December 2016.
  35. ↑ Roy, Shivayan (31 August 2017). "ISL 2017: Mumbai City FC wrap up deal for Cameroonian Achille Emaná". Goal. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  36. ↑ "El exbético Emana ficha por el Gerena" [Former Betis man Emana signs for Gerena]. ABC (in Spanish). 24 October 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
  37. ↑ Abizanda, Jorge (31 January 2019). "El Badalona ficha a Achille Emaná, excentrocampista del Betis" [Badalona sign Achille Emaná, former Betis midfielder]. ABC (in Spanish). Retrieved 1 February 2019.
  38. ↑ "El Badalona descarta el fichaje de Achille Emaná" [Badalona decide against signing Achille Emaná]. Diari de Tarragona (in Spanish). 6 March 2019. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  39. ↑ "Emaná vuelve al fútbol español" [Emaná returns to Spanish football] (in Spanish). BeSoccer. 2 August 2019. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  40. ↑ "Achille Emaná, Iñigo López, Nacho Buil y Jonathan Bijimine no continuarán en el club" [Achille Emaná, Iñigo López, Nacho Buil and Jonathan Bijimine will not remain at club] (in Spanish). S.S. Reyes. 21 January 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  41. ↑ Wandji, Arthur (1 July 2020). "Espagne: Achille Emana (38 ans) rejoint le Real" [Spain: Achille Emana (38) joins Real] (in French). Orange Football Club. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  42. 1 2 Mamrud, Roberto. "Achille Emaná Edzimbi – International Appearances". RSSSF. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
  43. 1 2 "France overcome Cameroon". BBC Sport. 29 June 2003. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  44. ↑ Aarhus, Lars; Díaz Rubio, Julián; Saaid, Hamdan; Zea, Antonio. "African Nations Cup 2006". RSSSF. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  45. ↑ Haond, Patrick (31 July 2007). "Emana quits Cameroon". Sky Sports. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  46. ↑ "Emana thriving on the pressure". FIFA. 28 April 2010. Archived from the original on 1 May 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  47. ↑ Vickers, Steve (26 January 2008). "Group C results". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  48. ↑ Vickers, Steve (10 February 2008). "Final and third place". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
  49. ↑ "World Cup 2010: Cameroon finalise World Cup squad". BBC Sport. 11 May 2010. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  50. ↑ "El club deja irse al hermano de Emana por problemas burocráticos" [Club lets Emana's brother go for bureaucratic problems]. ABC (in Spanish). 25 September 2011. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
  51. ↑ Jiménez, Francisco José (14 January 2013). "Achille Emaná: "Mi hermano demostrará lo que vale si le dan la oportunidad de jugar"" [Achille Emaná: "My brother will show what he is worth if given the opportunity to play"] (in Spanish). El Desmarque. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  52. ↑ "Achille Emana, el ex jugador de Cruz Azul que se convirtió en modelo" [Achille Emaná, the former Cruz Azul player who became a model]. Milenio (in Spanish). 9 June 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  53. ↑ Achille Emaná at National-Football-Teams.com
  54. ↑ "Cameroon vs. Zambia". National Football Teams. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
  55. ↑ "Cape Verde vs. Cameroon". National Football Teams. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
  56. ↑ "Gabon vs. Cameroon". National Football Teams. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
  57. ↑ "Cameroon vs. Togo". National Football Teams. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
  58. ↑ "Kenya vs. Cameroon". National Football Teams. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
  59. ↑ "Cameroon vs. Cape Verde". National Football Teams. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
  60. ↑ Lunay, Mehdi (7 May 2022). "L2: Toulouse remporte le titre de champion!" [L2: Toulouse are crowned champions!] (in French). Foot 01. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  61. ↑ "El Betis, campeón de Segunda" [Betis, Segunda champions]. La Opinión de Málaga (in Spanish). 5 June 2011. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  62. ↑ Esquivel, Iván (30 May 2025). "Dónde están los campeones de la Concachampions 2014 de Cruz Azul?" [Where are the 2014 Concachampions champions of Cruz Azul?] (in Spanish). Fútbol Total. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  63. ↑ Courtney, Barrie; Saaid, Hamdan. "African Nations Cup 2008 – Match Details". RSSSF. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  64. ↑ "FIFA Confederations Cup | Cameroon". FIFA. Archived from the original on 4 December 2007. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
[edit]
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