Benjamin Elliott speaks out on first experience in Lions den.

The football gem of a Cameroonian father and a British mother, playing for Chelsea reserve team, was one of the surprise names to feature in the list of 34 pre-selected players for Cameroon’s double confrontation against Namibia last month. 

In the final list of 26 players published by Coach Rigobert Song, the 20-year-old footballer was retained for the dual confrontations counting as qualifiers for the African Cup of Nations, AFCON 2023 to be hosted by Cote D’Ivoire. 

Despite not being able to feature in both confrontations that ended in a draw and defeat for the Lions, young Njongoue has expressed his contentment about his first experience in the Lions’ den.

The player who had also featured in England’s junior category, spoke to the country’s football association, FECAFOOT TV.

This was during their camping, although only published few days back.

“My first time in Cameroon and I am really enjoying my experience,” Njongoue said. 

When further asked about his experience in the den, he said “I was a bit nervous about how I would be received because I’m a new player coming from England. 

But honestly, the welcome was amazing. Everybody made me to feel at home and part of the group straight away. It has been a great experience,”.

Besides having been welcomed by his teammates, the staff of the national team also showed him hospitality.  “Everybody welcomed me from the players to the staff,” he stated. 

The versatile footballer also spoke about his first call from the national team coach to join the Lions’ den.

“I had a call from the coach who asked me if I wanted to play for Cameroon. I was so excited because it was an easy decision for me and I said ‘Yes’. That was how I knew I would play for Cameroon,” he narrated. 

Besides the player’s excitement, the Njongoue’s family were all in merry for their son’s call-up to the national team of Cameroon.

“For my selection, I think everyone was happy in my family because it’s an amazing opportunity for me and especially for my father who was born in Cameroon. I think he was very proud of me. Everybody was excited for me because they could see how happy I was,” he told FECAFOOT TV while giggling.

Not new to national team

According to the young midfielder, prior to his call-up to the national team, he has been closely following the team over the years, especially the last two international competitions.

“I was watching all the matches of the AFCON and even the World Cup in Qatar and I felt like the Cameroonian that I am,” he narrated, adding that “for me, it’s great Cameroonian team at the AFCON and at the World Cup with a victory over Brazil”.

“When I was watching the game, I think it was an amazing game. The team was amazing too. So when they called me, I could see that this is the team that beat Brazil and it’s a team that I would love to join,” Benjamin stated.

He further mentioned that “when I had the call from Cameroon, I saw that they were appreciative of me and it just made me very happy and it was a very easy decision for me to come play for Cameroon. I didn’t have to think twice”. 

Eto’o is my idol

The young Indomitable Lion also confessed to FECAFOOT TV that, the African all-time best goal scorer, Samuel Eto’o has been his idol as he followed him during his playing career.

“My best player of all time is Samuel Eto’o,” he said, before explaining that: “he was an amazing striker. I watched him with FC Barcelona and also with the national team. He was always on the scoresheet and always helping the team even more than just the goal. He was just a great player”.

He also observed that football is a unifying factor in Cameroon, stating that “here, people are crazy about football”.

Experience at Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium

Cameroon played a 1-1 draw against Group C opponent, Namibia last March 24 at the mythical Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium in Yaounde. 

Despite not featuring in the match day squad, due to documentation issues, young Njoungoue was part of the squad that trained at the Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium and watch the game from the stands.

“My first time at the Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium, the atmosphere was amazing. The fans are extraordinary and you could see that the fans are so passionate and how much they want us to win,” he said. 

He continued that: “I think that is good and it pushes the team to do better. I can see that football is almost like a religion in Cameroon. It’s crazy and it’s great”. 

“I really like that atmosphere around Cameroon and especially the field. I love the field, so it’s good,” he emphasised.

Lauds teammates

The 2002 born has also recognised the talents in the national which he very much admires.

“The squad is made of many very good players, everyone speaks to each other from the way they welcomed me,” he said, adding that “I think we have a lot of talent on the pitch and I think we are good on and off the pitch”. 

In order for the national team to achieve more in the near future, the young Chelsea player prescribed that “We just need to play together and if we stick together, we will get the wins”.

Speaking about his potential contribution to the Cameroon national team, he said “I am a creative midfielder, I can help to create chances, build up play and help with one or two goals as well”.

He also aspire to play the AFCON and World Cup with the national team. 

“On a personal note, I hope one day to become captain of Cameroon,” he added.

Addressing a message to fans of the Lions, he mentioned that “my message to them is to stick with the team and just keep supporting us and we will repay your support”. 

“I knew that in Cameroon people love football but not this much. I think it’s crazy. I think that is the main thing that I will take home and hopefully how good the training has been,” he re-echoed.

Speaking about his favourite meal, the football gem said “I love beans and puff-puff. It’s good for breakfast though not too much and not on a match day but on a day of rest. I like it a lot”. 

Benjamin Njoungoue was born on November 5, 2002 in Kingston Thames, United Kingdom. 

Though eligible to play for England, having played in their U-15 and U-16 teams, Elliott responded positively to his first call in March 2023 to represent Cameroon.