Joseph-Antoine Bell
Encyclopedia
Joseph-Antoine Bell, sometimes referred to as JoJo Bell (born 8 October 1954) is a former Cameroon
ian international football goalkeeper
, one of the best African goalkeepers of all time. In a 20-year career, he played in his native Cameroon as well as in the Ivory Coast and Egypt
before moving to France
, where he played for several top-level clubs including Marseille
, Bordeaux
and eventually ending his playing career with Saint-Étienne
. He represented the national team
in three World Cups (1982
, 1990
, 1994
), the 1984 Summer Olympics
and several African Cup of Nations
.
in Cameroon, where he spent the years 1975 to 1981. He then moved to Africa Sports in the Ivory Coast, staying there for two seasons. From 1983 to 1985 he played for Al-Mokawloon al-Arab in Egypt
.
By the time he we went to France
to play, he was already 31 years old. He played from Olympique de Marseille
from 1985 to 1988, playing 36, 38, and 35 league matches in each of his three seasons there. He then spent one season at Sporting Toulon Var
, playing 31 matches. Two years at FC Girondins de Bordeaux
followed, where he played 38 matches in 1989–90 and 37 matches in 1990–91. He ended his playing career with AS Saint-Étienne
, where he played 35 matches in 1991–92 and 38 matches in 1992–93, but only 26 matches in 1993–94.
Bell, in joining the campaign United Against Malaria in 2009, stated that "malaria
... affected his playing".
, he was in the squads at the 1982
and 1990 FIFA World Cup
but did not play any matches. He was also selected for the squad for the 1994 FIFA World Cup
where he eventually made his debut, playing in two of Cameroon's group matches. After Cameroon's elimination in 1994, enraged fans set fire
on Bell's house in Douala
. Bell also played at the 1984 Summer Olympics
, and was on Cameroon's winning team in the 1984
and 1988 African Cup of Nations
. At international level, though, he was second-choice goalkeeper after Thomas Nkono for many years.
being sixth. Sadok Attouga
was third, Badou Ezzaki was fourth and Mwemba Kazadi was fifth.
Cameroon
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
ian international football goalkeeper
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
, one of the best African goalkeepers of all time. In a 20-year career, he played in his native Cameroon as well as in the Ivory Coast and Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
before moving to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, where he played for several top-level clubs including Marseille
Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille is a French association football club based in Marseille. Founded in 1899, the club plays in Ligue 1 and have spent most of its history in the top tier of French football. Marseille have been French champions nine times and have won the Coupe de France a record ten times. In...
, Bordeaux
FC Girondins de Bordeaux
Football Club des Girondins de Bordeaux is a French association football club based in the city of Bordeaux. The club currently play in Ligue 1, the first division of French football, and won its last Ligue 1 title in the 2008–09 season....
and eventually ending his playing career with Saint-Étienne
AS Saint-Étienne
Association Sportive de Saint-Étienne Loire is a French association football club based in Saint-Étienne. The club was founded in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top division of French football. Saint-Étienne plays its home matches at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard located within the city...
. He represented the national team
Cameroon national football team
The Cameroon national football team, nicknamed Les Lions Indomptables , is controlled by the Fédération Camerounaise de Football and is Africa's most successful side in FIFA world cup; having qualified for the FIFA World Cup six times – in 1982, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2010– more than any...
in three World Cups (1982
1982 FIFA World Cup
The 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 12th FIFA World Cup, was held in Spain from 13 June to 11 July. The tournament was won by Italy, after defeating West Germany 3–1 in the final.-Host selection:...
, 1990
1990 FIFA World Cup
The 1990 FIFA World Cup was the 14th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 8 June to 8 July 1990 in Italy, the second country to host the event twice. Teams representing 116 national football associations from all six populated...
, 1994
1994 FIFA World Cup
The 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 15th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in nine cities across the United States from June 17 to July 17, 1994. The United States was chosen as the host by FIFA on July 4, 1988...
), the 1984 Summer Olympics
Football at the 1984 Summer Olympics
The football tournament at the 1984 Summer Olympics started on July 29 and ended on August 11. It featured only a men's tournament, as women's football had yet to become an Olympic event. It was the first Olympic football competition in which professionals were allowed...
and several African Cup of Nations
African Cup of Nations
The Africa Cup of Nations, also referred to as the African Cup of Nations or African Nations Cup, officially CAN , is the main international association football competition in Africa. It is sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football , and was first held in 1957. Since 1968, it has been...
.
Club career
Bell was born in Mouandé. He started his career in Union DoualaUnion Douala
Union Sportive Douala is a Cameroonian football club based in Douala.-History:It was founded in 1957 and played its home matches in the Stade de la Réunification.-Achievements:*Cameroon Premiere Division: 4...
in Cameroon, where he spent the years 1975 to 1981. He then moved to Africa Sports in the Ivory Coast, staying there for two seasons. From 1983 to 1985 he played for Al-Mokawloon al-Arab in Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
.
By the time he we went to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
to play, he was already 31 years old. He played from Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille is a French association football club based in Marseille. Founded in 1899, the club plays in Ligue 1 and have spent most of its history in the top tier of French football. Marseille have been French champions nine times and have won the Coupe de France a record ten times. In...
from 1985 to 1988, playing 36, 38, and 35 league matches in each of his three seasons there. He then spent one season at Sporting Toulon Var
Sporting Toulon Var
Sporting Toulon Var is a football club from Toulon, France, who currently play in the French sixth division . The club, which was founded in 1944, is presided by Jacques Jayet and managed by Luigi Alfano.- History :...
, playing 31 matches. Two years at FC Girondins de Bordeaux
FC Girondins de Bordeaux
Football Club des Girondins de Bordeaux is a French association football club based in the city of Bordeaux. The club currently play in Ligue 1, the first division of French football, and won its last Ligue 1 title in the 2008–09 season....
followed, where he played 38 matches in 1989–90 and 37 matches in 1990–91. He ended his playing career with AS Saint-Étienne
AS Saint-Étienne
Association Sportive de Saint-Étienne Loire is a French association football club based in Saint-Étienne. The club was founded in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top division of French football. Saint-Étienne plays its home matches at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard located within the city...
, where he played 35 matches in 1991–92 and 38 matches in 1992–93, but only 26 matches in 1993–94.
Bell, in joining the campaign United Against Malaria in 2009, stated that "malaria
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
... affected his playing".
International career
For the national teamCameroon national football team
The Cameroon national football team, nicknamed Les Lions Indomptables , is controlled by the Fédération Camerounaise de Football and is Africa's most successful side in FIFA world cup; having qualified for the FIFA World Cup six times – in 1982, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2010– more than any...
, he was in the squads at the 1982
1982 FIFA World Cup
The 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 12th FIFA World Cup, was held in Spain from 13 June to 11 July. The tournament was won by Italy, after defeating West Germany 3–1 in the final.-Host selection:...
and 1990 FIFA World Cup
1990 FIFA World Cup
The 1990 FIFA World Cup was the 14th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 8 June to 8 July 1990 in Italy, the second country to host the event twice. Teams representing 116 national football associations from all six populated...
but did not play any matches. He was also selected for the squad for the 1994 FIFA World Cup
1994 FIFA World Cup
The 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 15th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in nine cities across the United States from June 17 to July 17, 1994. The United States was chosen as the host by FIFA on July 4, 1988...
where he eventually made his debut, playing in two of Cameroon's group matches. After Cameroon's elimination in 1994, enraged fans set fire
Arson
Arson is the crime of intentionally or maliciously setting fire to structures or wildland areas. It may be distinguished from other causes such as spontaneous combustion and natural wildfires...
on Bell's house in Douala
Douala
Douala is the largest city in Cameroon and the capital of Cameroon's Littoral Province. Home to Cameroon's largest port and its major international airport, Douala International Airport, it is the commercial capital of the country...
. Bell also played at the 1984 Summer Olympics
Football at the 1984 Summer Olympics
The football tournament at the 1984 Summer Olympics started on July 29 and ended on August 11. It featured only a men's tournament, as women's football had yet to become an Olympic event. It was the first Olympic football competition in which professionals were allowed...
, and was on Cameroon's winning team in the 1984
1984 African Cup of Nations
The 1984 African Cup of Nations was the 14th edition of the African Cup of Nations, the soccer championship of Africa . It was hosted by Côte d'Ivoire. Just like in 1982, the field of eight teams was split into two groups of four...
and 1988 African Cup of Nations
1988 African Cup of Nations
The 1988 African Cup of Nations was the 16th edition of the African Cup of Nations, the soccer championship of Africa . It was hosted by Morocco, who replaced original host Zambia. Just like in 1986, the field of eight teams was split into two groups of four. The tournament final was held in...
. At international level, though, he was second-choice goalkeeper after Thomas Nkono for many years.
Honours
He was named "African Goalkeeper of the Century" by IFFHS, as part of their "Century Elections". Cameroon had three goalkeepers among the top six, with Thomas N'Kono being second and Jacques Songo'oJacques Songo'o
Jacques Celestin Songo'o is a retired Cameroonian footballer, who played as a goalkeeper.Spent the vast majority of his professional career in France and Spain, also representing the Cameroonian national team in four FIFA World Cups.-Club career:After first establishing himself as a professional...
being sixth. Sadok Attouga
Sadok Sassi
Sadok Sassi , nicknamed "Attouga" is a former Tunisian footballer. He was a goalkeeper and played for Club Africain and the Tunisian national team....
was third, Badou Ezzaki was fourth and Mwemba Kazadi was fifth.