ASSE wanted to honor Joseph-Antoine Bell, goalkeeper for the Greens in the 1990s. The African goalkeeper signed up with ASSE after being close to joining FC Barcelona.
Today, a lively septuagenarian and still of rare elegance, Joseph-Antoine Bell continues to promote African football, investing with determination in his mission as President of the National Order of Infrastructure and Sports Equipment of the Republic of Cameroon.
Lubo is magical
Joseph-Antoine Bell (Ex-ASSE) : “The most talented Green? Among the Greens, undeniably Lubo Moravcik. An experienced player, with great technical qualities, physically capable of repeating efforts and also endowed with a good state of mind. And then, my favorite: Titi Camara. He had fire in his legs but did not benefit from the confidence of the staff. I was surprised. We brought him back for twenty minutes, threw him into battle while we were behind. He was young and the responsibility for a possible outburst was placed on him. It was unfair. He didn't have the freedom to express all his talent.”
A great disillusionment at ASSE
Joseph-Antoine Bell (Ex-ASSE) : “The Coupe de France semi-final that we lost at home to Nantes (0-1) in 1993. The sky had opened its doors to us. We were 90 minutes away from going to Paris. Unfortunately, I think that the sportsman was taken hostage We undoubtedly suffered from the problems that the club encountered. There were power battles in the context of the takeover of ASSE. Not sure that some appreciated this gift given to President Laurent. this final would have represented. It was a huge frustration.”
A failed transfer to Barça
Joseph-Antoine Bell (Ex-ASSE) : “In 1991, I could and should have signed for Barça. I received a congratulatory telex from the president of the Catalan club. There was nothing innocent or gratuitous about it. I had just been named African Silver Ballon. However, it was not easy to sell the members the arrival of a 37-year-old goalkeeper even though a lot of questions were being asked about the age and future of Andoni Zubizarreta and his 30 years. So it didn't happen, but it was nevertheless terribly rewarding. And finally, I signed for Sainté for my greatest happiness.”
France
Soccer
