Quick Facts
Biography
Achille Emaná Edzimbi (born 5 June 1982), known as Emaná, is a Cameroonian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder.
He spent most of his professional career with Toulouse in France and Betis in Spain, playing his last years in Arab countries and Mexico.
Emaná gained nearly 50 caps for Cameroon, appearing with the country at the 2010 World Cup and three African Cup of Nations tournaments.
Club career
Toulouse
Emaná was born in Yaoundé. After a brief youth spell in Spain with Valencia CF, he moved in 2000 to France and joined Toulouse FC. The following year, at only 19, he became an important first team unit for the Ligue 2 club, never playing in less than 32 games in his first four seasons combined and helping the Haute-Garonne team achieve promotion to Ligue 1 in his second year.
In 2005, following Michael Essien's departure to Chelsea, Emaná reportedly attracted interest from French giants Olympique Lyonnais who were looking to replace the Ghanaian, with fellow ligue side Olympique de Marseille also joining the race. The player stayed nonetheless at Toulouse, scoring eight times in 36 matches as the club finished a best-ever third in the first division, thus achieving UEFA Champions League qualification honours.
During the following off-season, Emaná was strongly linked with Premier League club Portsmouth, where he would have joined a large contingent of African players. His chances of a move were quashed, however, when he was unable to obtain a work permit, and he subsequently penned a new two-year contract with Toulouse, until 2010.
In spring 2008, it was reported that England's West Ham United and Newcastle United were interested in acquiring Emaná's services, with La Liga side Sevilla FC also said to be tracking the Cameroonian. Eventually, nothing came of it again, and he saw out the entire season with the French, which finished in 17th position, being the first team placed outside the relegation zone.
Betis
On 11 June 2008, it was reported that Real Betis were negotiating with Toulouse for Emaná's transfer. The player was quoted as being keen to secure a move to Spain to further his career, even though his current club had apparently already rejected two bids for his signature. On 22 July he finally completed his move to the Andalusians, for a fee of £5.5 million.
On 19 October 2008, Emaná netted his first goal for Betis, in a 3–0 home win over RCD Mallorca. In mid-April 2009 he added braces against Racing de Santander (3–2 away win) and Sporting de Gijón (2–0 at home), finishing his first season with 11 goals – club's best – and seven assists, but his team was relegated in the last matchday.
In spite of heavy speculation about his future, Emaná continued to be an essential unit for Betis in the following Segunda División seasons. The attacking trio of himself and strikers Rubén Castro and Jorge Molina combined for more than 50 league goals in 2010–11, as the club returned to the top division after two years of absence.
Later years
On 11 August 2011, Emaná moved to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal FC in a deal worth US$6 million. In January of the following year he was loaned to United Arab Emirates' Al Ahli Club (Dubai) until June, and the move was made permanent on 27 July.
On 22 January 2013, Emaná was loaned to fellow league team Al Wasl FC until the end of the season, mainly as a replacement to long-term injured Mariano Donda. On 27 August, after his loan expired, he signed a permanent deal with Cruz Azul from Mexico.
On 17 December 2014, Emaná signed with Atlante F.C. on loan until June, after being transfer listed by his parent club back in June. On 24 July 2015, already as a free agent, he joined Gimnàstic de Tarragona initially on trial, and subsequently agreed to a one-year contract.
On 20 July 2016, Emaná switched teams and countries again, joining Tokushima Vortis. After making no appearances for the J2 League side, he returned to Nàstic on 12 December.
International career
An international since 2003, Emaná represented the Cameroon national team at that year's FIFA Confederations Cup, also appearing for the country in the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations, where his side exited in the quarter-finals.
Late in 2007, frustrated with the treatment he received whilst at the service of the national team, he retired from international play, but returned shortly after, appearing in the 2008 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored against Zambia in a 5–1 group stage win – Cameroon eventually lost in the final to Egypt.
Emaná represented Cameroon at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, playing in two games (two defeats) in an eventual group stage exit for the Lions Indomptables.
Personal life
Emaná's younger brother, Stephane, is also a footballer. A forward, he too had spells at Betis and Gimnàstic.
Honours
Club
- Toulouse
- Ligue 2: 2002–03
- Betis
- Segunda División: 2010–11
- Al Ahli
- UAE League Cup: 2011–12
- Cruz Azul
- CONCACAF Champions League: 2013–14
Country
- Africa Cup of Nations: Runner-up 2008
- FIFA Confederations Cup: Runner-up 2003