Cameroonian goalkeeper has been the mainstay of Espanyol's side for years
Carlos Kameni
Position: Goalkeeper
DOB: 18-2-84
Nationality: Cameroonian
A product of the Kadji Sports Academy in Cameroon that trained Samuel Eto’o, goalkeeper Carlos Kameni first moved to Europe in 1999 following an approach from Swiss club FC Sion. After becoming the youngest footballer to win an Olympic gold medal, aged just 16, during the 2000 games in Sydney, Kameni signed for French side Le Havre AC.
Kameni failed to break into the first team and was sent on loan to Saint Etienne, where he appeared equally forlorn. Spanish side Espanyol took a gamble on him in 2004, encouraged by his continual involvement with the Cameroon squad that had emerged creditably from the Africa Cup of Nations 2002.
During his debut season with Espanyol, Kameni would establish himself as the club’s first-choice keeper, playing in 38 games. In 2005-06, substitute keeper Gorka Iraizoz managed to dislodge Kameni, but the Cameroonian would reassert his dominance the following season, except in the UEFA Cup where Iraizoz was first choice. Once Iraizoz signed for Bilbao in the summer of 2007, Kameni finally became the club’s undisputed premier goalkeeper.
Kameni has featured prominently for Cameroon, delivering a number of excellent performances in the Indomitable Lions’ run to the 2008 African Cup of Nations final. Despite his form, Kameni was powerless to prevent the final’s only goal, after an error by defender Rigobert Song let in Egypt’s Mohamed Aboutrika.
With sharp reflexes and a reputation for saving penalties, kameni has become a popular figure at espanyol, though he has suffered racist abuse during league fixtures away from home.