All to know about Cameroon striker Vincent Aboubakar

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Vincent Paté Aboubakar came to critical attention when he powered Cameroon to a third place finish at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON 2021).

The Centre-Forward pleasantly surprised African fans with his exploits although he took the Feb. 3 semifinal loss against Egypt’s Pharaohs hard as he had desired to lift the cup on home soil. Nonetheless he came off the bench to score a brace against Burkina Faso in the penultimate match of the AFCON tournament on Feb. 5.

And so global fans and the Indomitable Lions hardcore followers reserved a date at the 2022 Qatar World Cup to see their power man help the Lions from their G group that also had Switzerland, Brazil and Serbia.

It wasn’t to be as head coach Rigobert Song curiously brought on the Cameroon’s skipper from the bench instead of starting him. With Aboubakar on the pitch, he provided the most potent threat of scoring.

Brought on with 15 minutes of normal time left in Cameroon’s 1-0 defeat to Switzerland. Cameroon’s coach Song fell on Vincent Aboubakar 10 minutes into the second half with the Africans trailing Serbia 3-1. He scored one goal and set up another in the space of three minutes to help secure a draw.

That draw set up a date with Brazil. In the Brazil game, Vincent Aboubakar flashed his brilliant header past Ederson. The goal ended Brazil’s 17-match unbeaten run having kept 12 clean sheets.

Vincent Aboubakar was beside himself with delight as he scored the only goal in the Seleção game to secure a famous World Cup win for Cameroon; the country’s first World Cup victory in 20 years.

Although the 30-year-old forward might be a late discovery for many, he’s actually been through the mill, honing his skills in Cameroon and then exploding in Europe albeit away from England, Spain and Germany.

Vincent Aboubakar, a former Cotonsport of Garoua player is now a Al-Nassr FC goal poacher in Saudi Arabia. In-between he has been FC Porto and Besiktas JK champion in Portugal and Turkey respectively.

Before grabbing the top-goal scorer spot at AFCON 2021 with his eight goals, Aboubakar was an AFCON winner with the Indomitable Lions in 2017 scoring the winning goal.

He’s won the Portuguese league twice with FC Porto, the Turkish league twice with Besiktas JK, as well as a Portuguese Super Cup winner with FC Porto.

The Garoua native records 95 caps for the Lions with a return of 35. A journeyman, it remains to be seen if Vincent Aboubakar who had also played for Valenciennes, Lorient and Breton would see through his contact at Al-Nassr FC which runs until June 30, 2024 or get snapped up by a European team on the back of the promising turnout at the AFCON and Qatar World Cup.

Wife of Vincent Aboubakar

The imposing 6ft attacker is reportedly married, however little is known about her. She reportedly delivered a baby on Feb. 18 2021.

Vincent Aboubakar’s Children

The striker is said to be father of three boys had with his wife.

Brothers and Parents

For one who emerged from an impoverished Roumdé Adjia district, Vincent Aboubakar born to Edouard and Maobeal in a Christian household has come a long way.

He’s since taken the Islamic faith although mum Maobeal Alice Aboubakar was a deaconess with the Evangelical Missionary Society of Cameroon.

Part of an eight sibling team, he calls Michel Dior, Yannick and Gustavo as brothers. He mentions Ronaldinho Gaúcho as his football icon.