KARL TOKO EKAMBI : THE SPEARHEAD
KARL TOKO EKAMBI
THE SPEARHEAD
Writer : Mr Jukebox
Painter : Oumarou Tao
Graphics : Glenn Basile
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"A player like Toko Ekambi, who performs well in the Champions League, know that this is high level".
These words are those of the Algerian team's coach, Djamel Belmadi, about striker Toko Ekambi and his performance of March 29th, in the World Cup qualifying match against Algeria.
We simply cannot talk about Cameroonian football today without mentioning Karl Toko Ekambi. The striker of the Indomitable Lions and Olympique Lyonnais, is author of a brilliant performance during the last Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon and contributor to the Cameroonian qualification for the 2022 World Cup, with his last-minute goal against Algeria. Without any doubt, Toko Ekambi is one of the best players on the African continent. From the Paris FC club to Olympique Lyonnais, through Villareal; let's take a look at the wonderful journey of Karl Toko Ekambi.
Born in Paris 13eme arrondissement on the year 1992, Karl Toko Ekambi grew up making his way through the multiple talents that he was blessed to poses. Indeed, young Toko was a music enthusiast, especially fond of rap music. He played football on a regular basis, while following his academic courses.
Toko
was member of the MZ rap group under the MC Loka monicker, along with other artists
such as Jok'Air and Dehmo. However, the interesting course of his life shows
that in football Karl really found his calling.
Karl Toko Ekambi played football more seriously in the club of Paris FC, where he progressed to U16 level (the club's players under 16 years old). His training was abruptly interrupted due to a knee injury, that kept him away from the fields for a year and a half during his boarding school period. The determined lad did not stop there. In fact, he tried his luck again with the U19 players of Paris FC. This was a good decision as he won a place in the team.
Toko signed his first professional contract on the 2011-2012 season, with a difficult start in the senior team. The following season, the striker truly took off and integrated the squad as a key player according to his teammates. Karl clearly showed he had what it takes to shine on the biggest stages. For this reason, he raised interest amongst several clubs of both French professional leagues (Ligue 1 and league 2).
In 2014, Karl joined the FC
Sochaux club of Ligue 2. He spent 2 good seasons in the club, scoring 14 goals
in 38 games and landing 5th goal scorer of the championship in the first
season. This performance enabled Karl to aim for top level.
Toko Ekambi roaring after scoring for Anger
The following year, Karl joined the French Ligue 1 in the football club of Angers. Despite a complicated first season, the striker went with his club to the French Cup final, where they suffered a loss to Paris Saint Germain. During the second season with Anger, Karl did not fail to showcase his skills by scoring a tally of 17 goals. Karl made quite an impression in Anger, as he was awarded with the Marc Vivien Foe prize in 2018. which acknowledges the best African player of the French Ligue 1.
His impressive performances opened more doors for him in the football sphere, particularly in Spain where he signed for a 5-year deal with the legendary Club of Villarreal. Karl had a wonderful season with the Yellow Submarine. He registered a total of 24 goals and 10 assists during his Spanish period. The striker even achieved the historic feat of quadruple, scored against Almeria in a single Copa del Rey match.
Despite a resounding first season on the Villareal side, Karl got back to Ligue 1 in Olympique Lyonnais on January 2020, as a loan with purchase option. The player marked his return by scoring on his first appearance for the club. He later contributed to the club's brilliant European campaign, as they reached the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League.
The following year, in
spite of a few injuries, the striker adapted well with the club's sportive
project. Even though they lost their position amongst championship leaders, his
goals and passes saved the team on many occasions. In fact, Karl finished
second top scorer in the Europa League and also distinguished himself with the
indomitable lions. The striker still managed to reach this height regardless of
the pressure from the club's unsatisfying position, as well as
that exerted by the many unhappy fans of Olympique Lyonnais. No matter the circumstances,
Toko has always earned his place in the squads in which he was found.
Over the seasons, Karl has earned quite alot of experience. The player has been able to improve on numerous levels,
including speed, technique and finishing, Furthermore, the striker's high game
IQ and great pass quality makes him not only a lethal scorer, but also a
valuable asset for any team's offensive game plan. In the same manner, Karl is
a player who does not hesitate when it comes to defensive work, which is a
crucial in-game ability, even for offensive players of the 21st century
football.
WITH THE INDOMITABLE LIONS
Given his team's victory at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, considering
his outstanding performance at the 33rd edition of the same competition, as
well as the qualification that he delivers to the Cameroonian Nation for the
next World Cup; it is safe to say that Karl is an important piece of the Lions'
system. Though the 3rd position won by Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations
(brilliantly organized at home by country) left a sour taste to many fans who
dreamed of a new trophy on their homeland, that AFCON campaign also revived the
passion amongst Cameroonians for their football national team. Indeed, the
supporters were thrilled again to see the lions fight and prevail against all
odds. Karl is clearly one of the instigators of this wind of hope, that
justifies the Cameroonian dream of a successful journey at the next World Cup
in Qatar. Moreover, this aspiration is openly shared by the legend Samuel
Eto'o, actual President of the Cameroonian Football Federation.
In the same light, Toko Ekambi will be watched alongside scorer Vincent
Aboubakar, during the Africa Cup of Nations 2023, which will certainly take
place in Ivory Coast. To make this possible, the indomitable lions will have to
win the qualifying games of this African football mass in the months ahead.
NEXT SEASON WITH OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS
Since their memorable 2020 Champions League campaign, Lyon has been struggling in the French Ligue 1. The club is hit with a non-qualification for the next edition of that major competition and worse, it is faced with a non-qualification in the Europa League. It is safe to say that Lyon has seen better days. However, the club will be able to count again on Toko Ekambi, who was one of the few bright spots in the dark skies of the last season. In fact, the striker has constantly filled his scoring duty for the team.
Following the departure of Memphis Depay, Toko has taken major space in the Gones attack alongside Moussa Dembele. This upcoming season, he will certainly be determined to honor his 4 seasons contract, by contributing significantly to the club's comeback as one of the leaders in the French Ligue 1.
THE NEXT STAGE
Aged only 29, Karl Brillant Toko Ekambi is at a key moment of his career.
It is up to him now to repeat his strokes of genius on a regular basis, so he
can ultimately rank amongst the most prominent figures of the sport. This will
only come true if he manages to produce brilliant performances almost every
time that he puts on the cleats for a football match. With keen knowledge of
the athlete and the person's character, we should be willing to believe that he
will eventually reach that height. In other words, Karl Toko Ekambi has all the
necessary weapons to become the spearhead of the Cameroonian national team.
Similarly, the striker would become that lethal weapon for Lyon or any club
that would be able to pay for his precious services.
In conclusion, due to Toko Ekambi's high class performances
both with the national team and Olympique Lyonnais, the striker ranks amongst
the best players of the African continent today. It is evident that the player
will eventually get more chances to permanently mark the sport to which he has
been committing for a long time already. We can only wish that he is spared
from injuries and also that he remains lucky for the many years ahead.
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