By Bakah Derick
Featuring as starter for team Cameroon in their last two games in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2021, Fai Collins Ngoran has undoubtedly contributed hugely in the team's success.
In the host nation's last day two outing against the Walias of Etthiopia, the Nso man was at the center of action. Not just did he play his defending function with unmatched impeccability but also took moves that led to the equaliser and the lead for Cameroon.
His eighth and 53 minutes assist were sufficient for Cameroon to take lead from the Ethiopians who found the back of the net as early as the sixth minute of the game. Cameroon will later score two more to beat the Walias to clinch the first 16th final ticket of the competition.
In more ways than one, the Standard Liège man ensured his right back position was not a source of passage for the Ethiopians.
Fai Collins almost lost his leg in a sacrificial confrontation with Burkinabe defender Steeve Yago in Cameroon's AFCON opener on Sunday 9 January 2022. Yago later apologised describing the tackle as dangerous.
After playing for Cameroon's under 21 and 23, the defender went on to win the 2017 AFCON for Cameroon.
Since the arrival of Coach Anthonio da Sylva Oliviera, the former Union of Douala and Njalla Quan Sports Academy man has become a dependable figure for team Cameroon.
Calm, soft spoken and decipline, the man who started his football career in Bamenda had expressed the wish to play the AFCON on home soil and his God gave him the opportunity.