André Kana-Biyik: "Winning in Morocco was Exceptional"
Former Cameroonian defensive midfielder, André Kana-Biyik, was one of the key players in the Indomitable Lions team that won the 16th edition of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations in 1988 in Morocco.
As his country prepares to return to the kingdom for the 35th edition of the competition, which will take place from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026, the two-time African champion (1984 and 1988) believes they have the potential to replicate the feat, even though he acknowledges significant competition.
In an interview with CAFOnline, the elder of the Biyik brothers (André Kana-Biyik and François Omam Biyik) reflects on the atmosphere within their team during that remarkable journey and shares his views on the current version of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations.
CAFOnline.com: The draw for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 will take place on Monday in Rabat allowing Cameroon and the other qualified teams to learn their fate. Seeing the Indomitable Lions in Morocco must bring back a lot of memories for you?
André Kana-Biyik: Indeed, the fact that Cameroon is qualified for the AFCON in Morocco brings back many memories (laughs). First of all, I must say that it is a necessity for Cameroon to qualify for every Africa Cup of Nations because it is a leading country in African football. It also stirs up a lot of excitement and reminds me of a beautiful final victory against Nigeria, which brought the country its second title.
Can you describe the atmosphere following that memorable victory?
I can assure you that the atmosphere among the players, the staff, and the Cameroonian people was incredible—it was something extraordinary and a job well done. Apart from playing the semi-final against the host nation, Morocco, which came with a lot of tension (though not as overwhelming as it seemed), everything went perfectly.
A journey like that is usually full of surprises. What are some of the stories from that success or from the tournament that you'll never forget?
There could be so many stories, we could write an entire book on it. I can simply tell you that the atmosphere within the Lions was really great. We went through the competition with a lot of confidence. We trusted our strength.
The stand out story I remember from this competition is the headbutt I gave to a Moroccan player in the semi-final. The next day, when we went to the market—I was with Mbouh Emile—I wore a Nigeria jersey. When the Moroccans asked us if we were Cameroonians, we said no and told them we were Nigerians instead (laughs). That was the kind of atmosphere we had.
Do you think Cameroon has a chance to repeat the feat on Moroccan soil? Who are the favourites for this tournament?
Yes, absolutely! Cameroon can definitely repeat the 1988 feat in Morocco. But it won't be easy because there are other big teams to contend with. First, Morocco, as the host country and a World Cup semi-finalist, is one of the top favourites. There is also Egypt, Cote d'Ivoire and Nigeria… It's not going to be easy at all. All these countries, like Cameroon, have a good chance to win the Africa Cup of Nations.
You were part of the team alongside your younger brother, François Omam Biyik. What was it like playing in the same team as your brother and achieving success together?
Playing in the Indomitable Lions team with my younger brother François wasn't really any different from the rest of the group. Yes, he's my brother, but when it was time to work, I treated everyone the same way. It was still a pleasure, and I'd even say a privilege, to play alongside him, and I think it was the same for him. Truly, you have to experience it to understand—it was a magical moment.
What does winning the Africa Cup of Nations represent in the career of an African footballer?
Winning the Africa Cup of Nations means so much. First and foremost, it's about representing your country and bringing the trophy home—it's a very powerful feeling. When you have an entire country behind you and you return with the trophy, those are unforgettable moments. It's the greatest gift a player can give to their country. Winning, for me, was exceptional.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CAF
4 hours ago
- CAF
CAF deepens reforms with Governance and Finance workshop in Benin
The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has taken another significant step in its mission to strengthen the governance and financial frameworks of African football with a three-day workshop held in Cotonou, Benin, from 2–4 June 2025. The initiative brought together General Secretaries and Finance Directors from 17 Member Associations of the continental football governing body. This marks the fourth edition of the Governance and Finance workshop, and with it, CAF has successfully ensured the participation of all 54 Member Associations in this new initiative. This milestone underscores CAF's commitment to inclusive development and strengthening capacity across the entire African football landscape. The workshop is part of CAF's ongoing governance drive towards a continent-wide effort, inspired by the vision of CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe, to make African football globally respected and sustainably run. The workshop in Cotonou, Benin was led by CAF's Member Associations Division in collaboration with the Legal Affairs Division. The intensive programme covered governance, financial processes, model statutes, conflict of interest policies, and audit mechanisms. Day one focused on legal governance, while day two explored core financial governance principles, including budgeting, procurement, and financial compliance. The final day included a review session and the creation of action plans. CAF Director of Member Associations, Sarah Mukuna, described the event as 'another milestone in CAF's commitment to empowering our Member Associations with the tools to be globally competitive and self-sustaining.' 'There is no growth in football without solid structures,' Mukuna said. 'Workshops like this equip administrators with clear understanding of governance roles, responsibilities, and ethical frameworks. Our goal is to build strong institutions at every level of African football.' Participants echoed the sentiment. Claude Paqui, General Secretary of Benin's Football Association, said: 'This is an excellent initiative. The workshop has equipped many with essential tools to govern and manage their federations effectively. For those who had prior exposure, this was a valuable refresher.' For Fernanda de Jesus Jama António, General Secretary of Angola's FA, the experience was both technical and transformative. 'We tackled fundamental topics: governance structures, corruption risks, stakeholder management, and financial control. The practical case studies made the sessions relevant and applicable to our national contexts,' she said. Pascal Deto, Finance Director of Côte d'Ivoire's FA, praised the clarity with which the workshop outlined the responsibilities of senior federation leaders. 'It helped define the roles of the President, General Secretary, and Finance Director—especially regarding delegation of authority and collaborative governance,' he said. The Cotonou gathering concluded with Member Associations developing customised action plans to implement reforms upon return to their countries. The next step in CAF's governance programme is to deliver dedicated governance workshops directly within Member Associations. This localized approach will allow for deeper engagement with individual federation structures and the specific challenges they face, further reinforcing CAF's commitment to building sustainable and accountable football institutions across Africa. Previous editions of the workshop have been held in Johannesburg, Addis Ababa and Alger. As CAF continues to roll out these initiatives across the continent, African football's future will depend not only on talent and performance but also on the strength of its institutions.
CAF
6 hours ago
- CAF
CAF and TECNO announce new sponsorship agreement making TECNO the Official Global Partner of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 and 2027
Published: Thursday, 05 June 2025 The Confédération Africaine de Football ('CAF') and TECNO concluded an agreement making TECNO the Official Global Partner of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 and TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2027 in East Africa. The new agreement announced in Nairobi, Kenya today by the CAF General Secretary, Véron Mosengo-Omba and TECNO Vice President Shiming Jiang, follows TECNO's successful partnership resulting in unprecedented growth during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d'Ivoire 2023 where they joined as the exclusive smartphone sponsor for the event. 'We thank CAF and its President Dr Motsepe for the vision to grow football in Africa. Together, we will can achieve great things' TECNO Vice-President, Shiming Jiang said.
CAF
10 hours ago
- CAF
FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2025™: Morocco to Face Brazil in opening match
The draw for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Morocco 2025™, held on Wednesday in Rabat, set the tone for a highly anticipated edition of the tournament featuring competitive groups and a dazzling, historic opening match between the host nation and Brazil. The African flag will be flown by hosts Morocco, Cameroon, Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, and Zambia during the 3-week tournament taking place between 17 October – 8 November. As hosts of this eighth edition, Morocco have not been dealt an easy hand. Drawn into Group A alongside Brazil, Italy, and Costa Rica The opening match, scheduled to take place in Rabat, will see Morocco go head-to-head with a Brazilian side renowned for its strength at youth level. This high-profile fixture will serve as an important benchmark for Morocco, as they gauge how far they've come in their footballing development. Cameroon to Tackle a Formidable Group B Group B presents a stern test for Cameroon, who will face North Korea, Mexico, and the Netherlands in a compelling mix of footballing philosophies and playing styles. The Lionesses will need to combine tactical discipline with physical strength to compete effectively. Although Cameroon have never advanced beyond the quarterfinals in this competition, their U-17 side will be hoping to break new ground. Their recent success on the regional stage, particularly within the UNIFFAC zone, offers a solid foundation for optimism. Nigeria Aim to Maintain Their Legacy As one of the most successful African nations at youth level, Nigeria arrive with a proud legacy to uphold. Drawn into Group D, the Super Flamingos will take on France, Canada, and Samoa. It's a challenging group, but well within reach for a team known for its athletic prowess and technical quality. The Nigerian class of 2025 is attracting a lot of attention. With the right momentum, they have the potential to reach the quarterfinals or even further. Their encounter with France could very well be the pivotal fixture of the group. Debut Challenge for Côte d'Ivoire Côte d'Ivoire will make their tournament debut in Group E, where they'll face Spain, Colombia, and South Korea. The Ivorians will need to demonstrate character and determination to compete at this level. Their match against Spain, the runners-up in the previous edition, will be a formidable test. However, it's not insurmountable. Should the Little Elephants manage to hold off the Spanish onslaught, an upset could be on the cards. Their attacking line known for its speed and unpredictability could be their biggest asset. Zambia Ready to Make a Statement in Group F In Group F, Zambia is set to face Japan, New Zealand, and Paraguay. Though less experienced than their opponents, the U-17 Copper Princesses arrive with a clear goal: to surpass the performance of previous African teams at this stage of the tournament. It's a demanding draw, particularly against a Japanese side famed for its collective organisation and fluidity.
