Emana playing for Cameroon |
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Achille Emana Edzimbi | ||
| Date of birth | 5 June 1982 | ||
| Place of birth | Yaoundé, Cameroon | ||
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||
| Playing position | Attacking midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Al-Hilal | ||
| Number | 8 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1997–1999 | Babimbi Douala | ||
| 1999–2000 | Valencia | ||
| 2000–2001 | Toulouse | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2001–2008 | Toulouse | 231 | (28) |
| 2008–2011 | Betis | 91 | (34) |
| 2011– | Al-Hilal | 9 | (4) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2003– | Cameroon | 38 | (6) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 00:00, 5 June 2011 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). |
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Achille Emana Edzimbi (born 5 June 1982 in Yaoundé), known as Emana, is a Cameroonian footballer who plays for Al-Hilal FC in Saudi Arabia, as an attacking midfielder.
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After a brief youth spell in Spain with Valencia CF, Emana moved in 2000 to France and joined Toulouse FC. The following year, at only 19, he became an important first-team unit for the Ligue 2 club, never playing in less than 32 matches in his first four seasons combined, and helping the Haute-Garonne side achieve promotion to the top level in his second year. yahya
In 2005, following Michael Essien's departure to Chelsea, Emana reportedly attracted interest from French giants Olympique Lyonnais who were looking to replace the Ghanaian,[1] with fellow ligue club Olympique de Marseille also joining the race.[2] The player stayed nonetheless at Toulouse, netting eight times in 36 matches as the club finished a best-ever third in the first division, thus achieving UEFA Champions League qualification honours.
During the following off-season, Emana was strongly linked with English Premier League club Portsmouth, where he would have joined a large contingent of African players. His chances of a move were quashed, however, when he was unable to obtain a work permit,[3][4][5] and he subsequently penned a new two-year contract with Toulouse, until 2010.[6]
In spring 2008, it was reported that English sides West Ham United and Newcastle United were interested in acquiring Emana's services,[7] with La Liga outfit Sevilla FC also said to be tracking the Cameroonian.[8] Eventually, nothing came of it again, and he saw out the entire season with the French, which finished in 17th position, being the first team placed outside the relegation zone.
On 11 June 2008, it was reported that Real Betis were negotiating with Toulouse for Emana's transfer. The player was quoted as being keen to secure a move to Spain to further his career, even though his current club had apparently already rejected two bids for his signature.[9] On 22 July, he finally completed his move to the Andalusians, for a fee of £5.5 millon.[10]
On 19 October 2008, Emana scored his first goal for Betis, in a 3–0 home win over RCD Mallorca.[11] In mid-April 2009, he added braces against Racing de Santander (3–2 away win[12]) and Sporting de Gijón (2–0 at home[13]), finishing his first season with 11 goals - club's best - and seven assists, but his team was relegated in the last matchday.
In spite of heavy speculation about his future,[14] Emana continued to be an essential unit for Betis in the following Segunda División seasons.
The attacking trio of Emana and strikers Rubén Castro and Jorge Molina combined for more than 50 league goals in 2010–11, as Betis returned to the top division after two years of absence.
An international since 2003, Emana represented the Cameroonian national team at that year's FIFA Confederations Cup, also appearing for the country in the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations, where his side exited in the quarter-finals.
Late in 2007, frustrated with the treatment he received whilst at the service of the national team, he retired from international play,[15] but returned shortly after,[16] appearing in the 2008 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored against Zambia in a 5–1 group stage win. Cameroon eventually lost in the final to Egypt.
Emana represented Cameroon at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, playing in two matches (two defeats) in an eventual group stage exit for the Lions Indomptables.
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