Mboma announces his retirement

[equinox24]

Cameroon striker Mboma announces his retirement


posted May 16 @ 11:21, EST

TOKYO (AP) - Cameroon's veteran striker Patrick Mboma, currently contracted to Japanese club Vissel Kobe, has decided to end his playing career after repeated injuries, his J-League club said Monday.

Mboma, 34, joined Kobe from Tokyo Verdy last August but injuries have restricted him to just four matches this season. The time had come for him to call it quits, Vissel Kobe said on its Web site. "I have been troubled by repeated injuries and the time had come for me to end my playing career," Mboma said in a Japanese-language statement.

Mboma, a Cameroon international from 1995 to 2004, scored 48 times in a total of 79 matches in Japan's domestic J-league appearances.

In 1997, Mboma was the leading goal scorer in the league and won the J-League's Golden Boot award.

He also was voted Africa's most valuable player in 2000, the year Cameroon won the Olympic gold medal in Sydney.

Kobe will hold a retirement ceremony for Mboma at Kobe Wing Stadium on Saturday, the club said.

[BanRay]

Used to be a very good player, I was also surprised by his successful return to the NT during the last African Cup of Nations, he was looking very solid, pity injuries prevented him from playing on.