Franck Mbella Thierry Etouga (born 18 September 2001) is a Cameroonian footballer who plays as a forward for Egyptian Premier League club El Gouna on loan from Al Masry. Etouga previously played for Nkufo Academy before joining Fortuna de Mfou and Ghanaian club Kumasi Asante Kotoko.[1][2][3][4]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Franck Mbella Thierry Etouga | ||
| Date of birth | 18 September 2001 | ||
| Place of birth | Cameroon | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team |
El Gouna (on loan from Al Masry) | ||
| Number | 34 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Nkufo Academy | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| –2020 | Nkufo Academy | 30 | (61) |
| 2020–2021 | AS Fortuna de Mfou | 21 | (8) |
| 2021–2022 | Asante Kotoko | 30 | (21) |
| 2022– | Al Masry | 12 | (2) |
| 2024– | → El Gouna (loan) | 1 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2020– | Cameroon | ||
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23 December 2022 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 14 November 2021 | |||
Within a season of joining Asante Kotoko he is regarded as one of the most prolific attackers in the Ghana Premier League.[5][6]
Club career edit
Etouga started his career with Nkufo Academy, an academy owned by Swiss international of African descent Blaise Nkufo. At the academy Etouga scored 61 goals and provided 13 assists in 30 games.[7] He went on to join Fortuna de Mfou in 2020. At Fortuna, he scored eight goals and assisted nine in 21 matches as the club placed third in the Cameroon Elite One League helping the club to a third-place finish. In the third place playoff match, Etouga inspired Fortuna to a 5–0 victory over Fovu Club de Baham by scoring two goals and providing an assist.[8][9]
On 12 October 2021, Etouga signed for Asante Kotoko on a three-year deal and was to join the club in Dubai who were in a pre-season tour in UAE.[9] Prior to his signing Kotoko had signed his compatriot Georges Mfegue making him the second Cameroonian to join the club in two days.[3][10][11] He made his debut for the Porcupine warriors on 28 November 2021 coming on the 90th minute to make a cameo debut in a goalless draw against Karela United. On 15 December 2021, on his full debut for the club and scored his debut goal in the 49th minute of an eventual 1–1 draw against Real Tamale United.[12] In the next match against Legon Cities, he scored a brace including scoring the winning goal to grant Kotoko a 2–1 victory.[13][14] On 9 January 2022, Etouga scored a second half hat-trick in the Ashanti derby against Obuasi-based club Ashanti Gold.[15][16]
Etouga scored his second hat-trick of the season on 12 February 2022 scoring all three goals in a 3–1 victory over Accra Lions.[17][18] As at February 2022, he was leading the top goal scorer's chart and had reportedly become a transfer target for several clubs in France and Turkey.[19][3]
Management edit
He is managed by Royal Soccer Scout Management by popular Cameroonian football agent Amadou Fontem Tigana dubbed the "Jorge Mendes of Africa"
International career edit
Etouga was a member of the Cameroon U-20 national team in 2020.[9][20] He was named in the team's squad list for the UNIFFAC U-20 Nations Cup which also serves as qualifiers for the 2021 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations. He scored one goal in their 3–1 victory over Congo.[21] Cameroon won the competition and qualified for the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.[22] He however missed out on the squad for the 2021 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.[23]
Honours edit
Asante Kotoko
Cameroon U-20
Individual
- VAR Player of the Month: March 2021
- Ghana Premier League Player of the month: January 2022[25]
- Ghana Premier League Most Outstanding Player of the season: 2021–22[26]
References edit
- ^ "Mbella's brace wins day for Kotoko - Asaase Radio". 2022-02-28. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
- ^ "Mbella's brace wins day for Kotoko". Graphic Online. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
- ^ a b c "Asante Kotoko CEO reveals why red-hot striker Etouga could be forced out of the club". Goal. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
- ^ "Franck Mbella Etouga sets league on fire, faces Hearts in Sunday's 'Super Clash'". Graphic Online. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
- ^ "The rise of Asante Kotoko's new marksman Frank Mbella Etouga - Kickgh.com". www.kickgh.com. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
- ^ "Breaking down all of Frank Mbella's 11 goals this season - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. 2022-02-17. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
- ^ "Mbella Etouga, Asante Kotoko's mystery-making man". KICK442. 2022-02-22. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
- ^ Wanneh, Giovanni (2021-09-29). "Elite One: AS Fortuna Gaslights Fovu To Best Elite One Finish". Sportsglitz. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
- ^ a b c "Kotoko signs another prolific Cameroonian striker". KICK442. 2021-10-12. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
- ^ Kweku, Lawrence (2022-02-17). "The Cameroonian Connection: The duo carrying Asante Kotoko". My Joy Online. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
- ^ "Official: Kotoko announce Georges Mfegue and Etouga Mbella signings". Footy-GHANA.com. 2021-10-18. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
- ^ "Disappointment for Asante Kotoko as Real Tamale United force draw in Ghana Premier League | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
- ^ "Etouga's brace return Kotoko to winning ways". Graphic Online. Sports Desk. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
- ^ "Report: Legon Cities 1-2 Asante Kotoko- Mbella Etouga's Brace Hands Porcupines a Hard-fought Win Over Royals". 442 GH. 2021-12-19. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
- ^ "2021/22 GPL Week 12: Frank Etouga nets sensational hat-trick for Kotoko to hammer Ashgold 3-1". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
- ^ "MATCH REPORT: Mbella Etouga's hat-trick hands Asante Kotoko derby win over AshantiGold - Kickgh.com". www.kickgh.com. Retrieved 2022-03-20.
- ^ "Etouga brilliance inspires Asante Kotoko win over Accra Lions in Ghana Premier League | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
- ^ "GPL match report: Frank Etouga scores hat-trick as Kotoko beat Accra Lions in Kumasi". GhanaWeb. 2022-02-12. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
- ^ "Asante Kotoko striker Mbella Etouga attracting interest from France". GhanaSoccernet. 2022-02-14. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
- ^ "UNIFFAC: 30 Under-20 Lions summoned". KICK442. 2020-11-25. Retrieved 2022-03-20.
- ^ Lantheaume, Romain (2020-12-17). "CAN U20 (Q) : qualification historique de la Centrafrique, le Cameroun sort le Congo". Afrik-Foot (in French). Retrieved 2022-03-20.
- ^ a b "U-20 UNIFFAC Tournament: Cameroon Crowned Champions". News Upfront. 2020-12-23. Retrieved 2022-03-20.
- ^ "Kotoko's Franck Etouga misses out on Cameroon squad for World Cup playoffs". GhanaWeb. 2022-03-10. Retrieved 2022-03-20.
- ^ "Asante Kotoko crowned Ghana Premier League champions for record 24th time". GhanaSoccernet. 2022-06-12. Retrieved 2022-07-07.
- ^ "Etouga wins NASCO Player of the Month - January". Ghanafa. Ghana Football Association. Retrieved 2022-03-20.
- ^ "Electroland Ghana Limited to award Etouga, Annor & Prosper Ogum". Ghana Football Association. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
External links edit
- Franck Mbella Etouga at Global Sports Archive