Léandre Tawamba Explained

Léandre Tawamba
Upright:0.7
Full Name:Léandre Gaël Tawamba Kana
Birth Date:20 December 1989
Birth Place:Yaoundé, Cameroon
Height:1.89 m
Position:Forward
Currentclub:Al-Okhdood
Clubnumber:9
Youthclubs1:Eding
Youthclubs2:Jeunesse Star
Years1:2007–2008
Clubs1:Aigle Royal Menoua
Years2:2009–2010
Clubs2:Union Douala
Years3:2011
Clubs3:Aigle Royal Menoua
Years4:2012
Clubs4:FC Cape Town
Years5:2012
Clubs5:Mpumalanga Black Aces
Years6:2013
Clubs6:Nitra
Caps6:14
Goals6:3
Years7:2013–2014
Clubs7:Ružomberok
Caps7:31
Goals7:13
Years8:2014
Clubs8:Al-Ahly Benghazi
Caps8:0
Goals8:0
Years9:2015–2016
Clubs9:Zlaté Moravce
Caps9:19
Goals9:11
Years10:2016
Clubs10:Kairat
Caps10:23
Goals10:4
Years11:2016–2018
Clubs11:Partizan
Caps11:48
Goals11:14
Years12:2018–2023
Clubs12:Al-Taawoun
Caps12:135
Goals12:65
Years13:2023–
Clubs13:Al-Okhdood
Caps13:29
Goals13:5
Nationalyears1:2018–
Nationalteam1:Cameroon
Nationalcaps1:8
Nationalgoals1:0
Club-Update:27 May 2024
Nationalteam-Update:5 March 2022

Léandre Gaël Tawamba Kana (born 20 December 1989) is a Cameroonian professional footballer who plays for Al-Okhdood as a forward.

Early in his career, Tawamba played as a centre-back and defensive midfielder, but was converted into a striker in Europe.

Club career

Early career

Born in Yaoundé, Tawamba was a regular member of Cameroon's Elite One side Aigle Royal Menoua in the 2007–08 season.[1] [2] He later moved to Union Douala, spending there the 2009–10 campaign.[3] [4] In 2011, Tawamba returned to his former club Aigle Royal Menoua, captaining the team in the nation's Elite Two.[5]

South Africa and Slovakia

In early 2012, Tawamba moved abroad to South Africa and joined FC Cape Town.[6] He scored once in the second half of the 2011–12 National First Division.[7] In June 2012, Tawamba traveled to Slovakia and trained with Slovan Bratislava and Ružomberok,[8] [9] before returning to South Africa and joining National First Division side Mpumalanga Black Aces. He was ultimately transferred to Slovak club Nitra in early 2013.[10] Until the end of the 2012–13 season, Tawamba scored three times in 14 league appearances.

In June 2013, Tawamba switched to Ružomberok, rejoining his Nitra manager Jozef Vukušič.[11] He netted on his league debut on 14 July, scoring the equalizer in a 2–2 draw with Žilina.[12] On 10 August, Tawamba scored a brace in a 3–2 home win over Spartak Trnava.[13] He finished the season as the team's top scorer with 13 goals in 31 appearances.

Libya

In July 2014, Tawamba returned to Africa and signed with Libyan club Al-Ahly Benghazi, again following his former manager Jozef Vukušič.[14] He represented the side in the 2014 CAF Champions League exclusively, appearing in two games of the group stage against Tunisia's CS Sfaxien and Espérance.[15]

Return to Slovakia

In early 2015, Tawamba returned to Slovakia and joined Zlaté Moravce,[16] [17] but was unable to play in the 2014–15 season. He scored a goal on his debut for the club on 15 August in a 2–2 home draw with Železiarne Podbrezová.[18] On 19 September, Tawamba netted both his team's goals in a 5–2 away loss to Ružomberok.[19] He subsequently scored a hat-trick to give his side a 3–1 win over Skalica on 21 November.[20]

Kazakhstan

On 1 April 2016, Tawamba transferred to Kazakh club Kairat.[21] He signed a one-plus-two-year contract and was awarded the number 20 shirt. On 29 May, Tawamba scored a stoppage-time back-heel winner to give his team a 3–2 win over Akzhayik.[22] He subsequently made his debut in UEFA competitions, coming on as a substitute for Gerard Gohou in a 1–0 away win against Teuta Durrës in the first leg of the 2016–17 UEFA Europa League first qualifying round on 30 June. A week later in the return leg, Tawamba scored his team's fourth goal in an eventual 5–0 victory at home. He also netted a brace in a 3–2 away win against Irtysh Pavlodar on 17 July. One day before the league's final fixture, on 28 October, Tawamba terminated his contract with Kairat by mutual agreement.[23] He made 29 appearances and scored six goals in all competitions.

Serbia

In November 2016, Tawamba moved to Serbia and signed a three-year contract with Partizan.[24] He scored his first goal for the club in a 3–0 home league win over Metalac Gornji Milanovac on 8 March 2017.[25] In his first Belgrade derby, Tawamba scored the team's second goal in an eventual 3–1 away win over Red Star Belgrade on 18 April.[26] He eventually finished the season collecting the double.[27]

On 22 July 2017, Tawamba scored a brace in the league's opener versus Mačva Šabac, as Partizan won the game 6–1.[28] He also netted the opening goal in a 1–3 loss to Olympiacos in the first leg of the 2017–18 UEFA Champions League third qualifying round on 25 July.[29] [30] In the return leg of the 2017–18 UEFA Europa League play-off round, Tawamba scored the opener in a 4–0 away win against Videoton on 24 August, thus helping Partizan progress to the group stage.[31] He subsequently found the back of the net in a 2–3 home loss to Dynamo Kyiv in Group B on 28 September.[32] In the fourth game of the group stage, on 2 November, Tawamba scored a goal to give his team a 2–0 home win over Skënderbeu Korçë.[33] He also scored the opener in a 2–1 home win over Young Boys, on 23 November, as Partizan advanced to the knockout stage after 13 years.[34] With 19 goals in 51 appearances across all competitions, Tawamba finished the season as the team's top scorer, helping them win the 2017–18 Serbian Cup.

Saudi Arabia

In July 2018, Tawamba was transferred to Saudi club Al-Taawoun for a fee of €1.4 million.[35] [36] He was the team's top scorer in the 2018–19 season with 27 goals across all competitions.

On 31 August 2023, Tawamba joined Al-Okhdood on a free transfer.[37]

International career

Tawamba was named in Cameroon's preliminary squad for the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup, but was later dropped from the final 21-man squad.[38] He was also called up to the Cameroon U23 team in preparation for the 2011 All-Africa Games.[39]

In March 2018, Tawamba received his first call-up to the Cameroon national team for a friendly against Kuwait.[40] He played the full 90 minutes in that match, receiving a yellow card in their 3–1 away victory.

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
FC Cape Town2011–12National First Division
Mpumalanga Black Aces2012–13National First DivisionNFD
Nitra2012–13Slovak First Football League14300143
Ružomberok2013–14Slovak First Football League3113403513
Al-Ahly Benghazi2014Libyan Premier League2020
Zlaté Moravce2015–16Slovak First Football League1911322213
Kairat2016Kazakhstan Premier League2342141296
Partizan2016–17Serbian Superliga1623000192
2017–183212611365119
Total4814911367021
Al Taawoun2018–19Saudi Pro League2821663427
2019–20173201011214
2020–21271333103116
2021–22301822633823
2022–23299113010
2023–24410041
Total135651412831115881
Al-Okhdood2023–24Saudi Pro League29510305
Career total2991153316271011360142

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Cameroon201820
202120
202240
Total80

Honours

Partizan

Al-Taawoun

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mtn Elite One : Cotonsport freiné par Aigle à Dschang . French . camfoot.com . 28 December 2007 . 6 November 2017.
  2. Web site: Mtn Elite One : Du beau spectacle dimanche dernier à Bafoussam . French . camfoot.com . 9 January 2008 . 1 March 2019.
  3. Web site: E1 : Cotonsport is back . French . camfoot.com . 15 December 2009 . 1 March 2019.
  4. Web site: Union : Un nul laborieux face à Fovu . French . camfoot.com . 16 March 2010 . 1 March 2019.
  5. Web site: Réactions après Aigle - Chantier Naval . French . camfoot.com . 27 July 2011 . 1 March 2019.
  6. Web site: Jabu Mahlangu completes FC Cape Town move . kickoff.com . 22 February 2012 . 6 November 2017.
  7. Web site: National First Division round-up . kickoff.com . 9 April 2012 . 3 November 2019.
  8. Web site: Do Slovana prišiel z Portugalska aj Srb Obradovič . Slovak . sport.aktuality.sk . 19 June 2012 . 6 November 2017.
  9. Web site: Tawamba Kana na skúške v Ružomberku . Slovak . profutbal.sk . 20 August 2012 . 6 November 2017.
  10. Web site: Po Pauknerovi sa balia aj Kolár s Ivančíkom, posíl je zatiaľ sedem . Slovak . mynitra.sme.sk . 18 February 2013 . 9 March 2017.
  11. Web site: Tawamba mení dres, odchádza z Nitry na Liptov . Slovak . sport.aktuality.sk . 18 June 2013 . 6 November 2017.
  12. Web site: Žilina začala sezónu remízou v Ružomberku . Slovak . webnoviny.sk . 14 July 2013 . 6 November 2017.
  13. Web site: Futbalisti ´Ruže´zdolali Spartak, dva góly strelil Tawamba . Slovak . webnoviny.sk . 10 August 2013 . 9 March 2017.
  14. Web site: Vukušič zlanáril do Líbye Tawambu i Zošáka z Ružomberka . Slovak . moravce.dnes24.sk . 29 July 2014 . 9 March 2017.
  15. Web site: Tawamba Kana . ahly.ly . 11 November 2017.
  16. Web site: FC ViOn poriadne obmenil káder: Za Zlaté Moravce bude hrať futbalista z Brazílie . Slovak . moravce.dnes24.sk . 13 January 2015 . 6 November 2017.
  17. Web site: Tawamba Kana zahviezdil v zápase proti Šali: Za ViOn strelil hneď dva góly . Slovak . moravce.dnes24.sk . 20 January 2015 . 6 November 2017.
  18. Web site: ViOn po remíze s Podbrezovou s prvým bodom, Frťala: Boli sme lepší (video) . Slovak . profutbal.sk . 15 August 2015 . 6 November 2017.
  19. Web site: Video: Michalovce zdolali Trnavu, Skalica bodovala v Žiline . Slovak . webnoviny.sk . 19 September 2015 . 6 November 2017.
  20. Web site: Trenčín sa stal jesenným majstrom, Žilina prehrala v Senici . Slovak . webnoviny.sk . 21 November 2015 . 6 November 2017.
  21. Web site: "Кайрат" подписал камерунского форварда . Russian . vesti.kz . 1 April 2016 . 6 November 2017.
  22. Web site: This Guy Just Scored The Most Insane Backheel Goal In The History Of Football . sickchirpse.com . 30 May 2016 . 9 March 2017.
  23. Web site: Камерунец Тавамба покинул "Кайрат" . Russian . vesti.kz . 28 October 2016 . 6 November 2017.
  24. Web site: Leandre Tawamba potpisao za Partizan . Serbian . partizan.rs . 27 November 2016 . 6 November 2017.
  25. Web site: Partizan lako slavio pred 1.000 navijača . Serbian . b92.net . 8 March 2017 . 6 November 2017.
  26. Web site: Leonardo pokorio Marakanu, Partizan stigao Zvezdu! . Serbian . b92.net . 18 April 2017 . 20 April 2017.
  27. Web site: Milenković doneo duplu krunu Partizanu! . Serbian . b92.net . 27 May 2017 . 23 July 2017.
  28. Web site: PARTIZAN – MAČVA 6:1 (4:0) . Serbian . partizan.rs . 22 July 2017 . 6 November 2017.
  29. Web site: Emmanuel Emenike scores on his debut in Olympiacos win . goal.com . 25 July 2017 . 6 November 2017.
  30. Web site: Tawamba On Target As FK Partizan Lost At Home . sports24cameroon.com . 26 July 2017 . 6 November 2017.
  31. Web site: Partizan pregazio Videoton za Ligu Evrope! . Serbian . b92.net . 24 August 2017 . 6 November 2017.
  32. Web site: Kakav šok u Humskoj, Partizan prokockao prednost od 2:0! [VIDEO] ]. Serbian . sportskacentrala.com . 28 September 2017 . 26 November 2017.
  33. Web site: Partizan dobio meč loptu za evropsko proleće! [FOTO + VIDEO] ]. Serbian . sportskacentrala.com . 2 November 2017 . 26 November 2017.
  34. Web site: Partizan zimuje u Evropi! [VIDEO+FOTO] ]. Serbian . sportskacentrala.com . 23 November 2017 . 26 November 2017.
  35. Web site: Tavamba ide u Arabiju, Partizanu 1,4 miliona evra . Serbian . b92.net . 9 July 2018 . 17 May 2019.
  36. Web site: Al-Taawoun sign Cameroon's Leandre Tawamba from Partizan . goal.com . 10 July 2018 . 1 March 2019.
  37. Web site: التعاون يعلن موافقته على انتقال تاوامبا إلى الأخدود. .
  38. Web site: Coupe du monde junior Egypte 2009 : Les 21 d'Alain Wabo . fr . camfoot.com . 20 September 2009 . 8 November 2017.
  39. Web site: U-23 : 30 joueurs convoqués . fr . camfoot.com . 2 August 2011 . 8 November 2017.
  40. Web site: Player Spotlight: Vincent Aboubakar – Striker named in Cameroon's squad . africanfootball.com . 15 March 2018 . 1 March 2019.
  41. News: موسلين وتوامبا الأفضل في الدوري لشهر نوفمبر. SPL. 5 December 2018. 5 December 2018. 21 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230421163042/https://spl.com.sa/node/280. dead.
  42. Web site: هورفارت أفضل مدرب في يناير .. والحمدان وكاسيو وتاوامبا ينتزعون النجومية . 3 November 2021 . 29 January 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210129153916/https://www.spl.com.sa/ar/node/3658 . dead .