We sat down with Steve Regis Mvoue, the best player of the U17 AFCON 2019 in Tanzania and part of the Cameroonian team that clinched the African title.
African Under-17 Champion, best player in Africa in your age group, two Man of the Match awards. Will these accolades change your life?
“I’m happy to have been named best player of the tournament. It shows that, beyond the team’s victory, I displayed qualities that experts recognized. But this trophy is the result of a collective effort. We had a great squad that allowed everyone to express themselves, and that’s how such accolades become possible. These titles won’t change my way of life. I received them on April 28th, and today is April 30th — I’m still the same person. Now I need to focus on other things: improving my game and working to become a great player. Titles are just titles; there’s still a lot of work to do. Our goal was to reach the World Cup, and we helped Cameroon win their second U17 title in history, after 2003. That’s in the past now. We need to prepare for the World Cup.”
What was it like arriving at Yaoundé Nsimalen International Airport and being greeted with a triumphant welcome?
“It was pure joy. The excitement began earlier when our goalkeeper, Manfred Ekoi, stopped the Guinean shot — he saved our lives twice in a row. When we arrived back home, the welcome was incredible. Seeing the population rally around our collective victory truly warmed our hearts. The Minister of Sports and the President of FECAFOOT had encouraged us since the semi-finals, helping us understand how important we were to the nation. The reception made that clear, and I’m very grateful.”
The final against Guinea went to penalties. What did the coach say, and what was your role as captain?
“The final was tough because we’d already played Guinea in the group stage, winning 2-0, and I scored a goal. The Guineans came prepared, analyzing our game in detail and using tight man-marking, while also being very physical. Our mental strength and concentration were decisive. Our goalkeeper was a huge asset. The coach’s speech focused on staying concentrated. As captain, I emphasized this focus, speaking to the goalkeeper, who had been crucial throughout the tournament, especially in the penalty shootout. The coach told us to shoot cleanly, without tricks, but to maintain focus. We stayed mentally strong, resilient, and never faltered.”
Steve Regis Mvoue’s reflections highlight the discipline, teamwork, and mental resilience that helped Cameroon secure their second U17 AFCON title, while emphasizing that personal accolades are only a step in the journey toward greater achievements.
