Joseph-Antoine Bell: "Philippe Redon was a wonderful man"

Text by: Eric Chaurin Follow

The ex-striker and trainer Philippe Redon died on May 12, 2020 at the age of 69. Joseph-Antoine Bell, who was the goalkeeper of the Cameroon team under his orders, especially during the CAN 1992, describes "a wonderful man" who was "very close to the players". Testimony.

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RFI: Joseph-Antoine Bell, what memories do you keep of Philippe Redon and his time at the head of the Cameroon national team ?

Joseph-Antoine Bell : Philippe was a wonderful man, who had kept all that was positive about his professional football career. He knew the game and the men and was very close to the players. He was someone very humble of course, but who knew how to speak and say things. He had observed football well and he was precise in what he said.

I remember when he arrived during qualifying for CAN 92, he said to me: "  I noticed that when Cameroon succeeds in the final phase, two names always come back, Bell and Milla.  Which made me say that the statistics were white witchcraft!

Nobody knew it then, but Philippe wanted Roger Milla to come back to the selection to play CAN in Senegal. In the end, it didn't happen because training, all that, was too restrictive for Roger, who had stopped after the World Cup 90.

And then, very quickly, this CAN 92 arrives in Senegal, where Cameroon is eagerly awaited after its quarter-final at the World Cup. How did you experience it with this 41-year-old young coach at your head ?

Philippe was really a good guy, someone who understood the players and that the players understood. During qualifying matches, he realized the pressure on the Lions in Cameroon and told me that he would not like to be in our place.

In any case, he was very close to us. So much so that before the quarter-final of the CAN against Senegal, when the Senegalese police, I do not know why, attacked his companion, who was in the delegation, all the Cameroonian players forgot that 'They had a match and rushed to his aid. The stampede lasted 5-10 minutes and afterwards the players regained their senses to win the match.

And when we eliminated Senegal in quarters, we did not see many obstacles to go all the way. The title held out our arms, we had a very good team, but ultimately we did not win this CAN, while we did not lose any match. Ivory Coast eliminated us on penalties, when we ourselves missed a penalty during the match. It was a disappointment.

A disappointment shared by Philippe Redon ?

But yes of course. Philippe was not chasing wealth, glory, or anything like that, but as a sportsman, he wanted to win. And he thought so much of having the team to win, that for the match for 3rd place against Nigeria, he had not made a team. He did not compose.

He said to me, "  Jo, what are you doing ? You don't have to play this game. We are not there to fill in statistics. Jacques (Songo'o) he did not play, he will play.  Then to the others: "  Who wants to play ? Those who want to have fun will come in and play.  Finishing third didn't interest him particularly.

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