Christian Kofane: The youngster leading Cameroon’s AFCON charge

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Christian Kofane was born 18 years after Cameroon’s famous 1-0 semi-final victory against 1988 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) host Morocco.

Now, close to 40 years later, rivalries have been renewed with the 19-year-old striker poised to lead the Indomitable Lions to another vital win against the Atlas Lions, who are hosting the tournament for the second time in their history.

But this time in the quarter-final of the 2025 AFCON on Friday January 9, 2026, in Rabat at 8:00pm. The stakes, however, remain the same.

“When I was young, I watched my elders on TV. Today, it is a dream come true,” Kofane said during a pre-match press conference.

“I will do everything to make Cameroon happy (…) I am here to help the nation (…) We know it’s going to be tough, but we are ready for anything,” he added.

Playing for the Cameroon national team, in such a crunch fixture, may have looked distant for Kofane barely a year ago.

The forward made his professional debut on January 11, 2025, with Albacete in the Segunda Division-the second tier of Spanish football, before a move to Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen seven months later.

Today, Kofane is one of the world’s most exciting strikers.

After an impressive debut with the Central African giants, can the youngster help his team to a win against Morocco in the last eight of the 2025 AFCON to edge closer to a sixth continental crown?

From Cameroon regional league to AFCON

A year ago, Kofane was still playing football in the Littoral Regional League with AS Nylon in Cameroon.

There were plenty of eyebrows raised when he was summoned for the AFCON and little signs of what to come.

He started on the bench against Gabon in Cameroon’s group F opener but earned a starting role for the team in their next three fixtures.

He scored two brilliant goals; a spectacular strike to open his goal account against Mozambique and a fine header against South African in the round of 16. Both goals were matchwinners.

Kofane became the first player to score two goals in an AFCON edition before the age of 20 since Nigerian Julius Aghahowa in 2002.

Kofane, at 19 years and 5 months old, also made history as the second youngest Cameroonian goalscorer in the knockout stage of the AFCON behind Samuel Eto’o at 18 years and 10 months.

Cameroon football expert, Afeseh Apong, who has worked with Indomitable Lions coach David Pagou, admitted that Kofane has been “very impressive so far.  

“For a young striker of his age, coming to the national team and scoring two goals is telling of the kind of qualities he has,” Afeseh said.

Afeseh believes Kofane is conscious of the task ahead of him and that Moroccan defenders will struggle to cope with the striker’s strength, pace, and swift movements.

“He is a good player. He is a very intelligent forward. Against Morocco, it is going to be a tough game for both countries. But I think Kofane can be that main man for the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon if he takes his chances,”

“Morocco has the best defences but Cameroon knows how to get results from this kind of games especially when you least expect,” Afeseh added.

Joshua Kosimbom, journalist and Founder of Kosi-Foot talk, currently covering the AFCON in Morocco, is confident that Kofane will inspire the Indomitable Lions to a win.

“He is dangerous in front of goal. His movement in the defence. He will score; he is going to be a threat. Kofane is the weapon we hope for in the game against Morocco,” Kosimbom said in an interview.

Cameroon has held an advantage over Morocco at the AFCON. They eliminated Morocco from the 1988 AFCON and went on to secure the trophy. They are also the last team to beat Morocco at home in 2009. Kofane will be keen on ensuring the team continues its unbeaten record.

A new Eto’o?

There has been a shortage of fantastic Cameroonian forwards who have excelled for the national team with the same level of consistency and quality since legendary forward and all-time leading goalscorer Samuel Eto’o Fils retired.

There is a long list of players who have struggled to emulate his examples and fill Eto’o’s shoes. But many believe that Kofane, despite his age, could be the rightful successor.

Patrick Mboma, who played with Eto’o and won the 2000 and 2002 AFCON together, spoke about the comparison between Eto’o and Kofane on New World Sport TV.

“We are not going to get carried away. We certainly have good players. We’ll hope he becomes a very great player, but the steps to reach Samuel Eto’o are very difficult and very long,’ Mboma said.

“You are talking about Samuel Eto’o, but he is not just a good player; he is certainly the best African in football. So, we’ll take it slowly,” Mboma added.

Kosimbom said he sees sheds of Eto’o when he watches Kofane play.

“He reminds Cameroonians of iconic and legendary striker Samuel Eto’o. They are already thinking of a new Eto’o though he still has a lot to work on,” Kosimbom said.

“With time, he will be crucial for the Indomitable Lions against Morocco,” he added. 

The question remains is Kofane going to thrive or fold in the face of Morocco’s pressure?

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