Daughter lights spark in Mbombo Njoya's journey to coaching women's basketball

 

ABIDJAN (Cote d'Ivoire) - When Cameroon-born Ahmed Mbombo Njoya retired from playing basketball, he always knew he wanted to become a coach.   

While the circumstance that ended his playing career was unfortunate, Mbombo Njoya told FIBA.basketball that his progression to coaching was an eventuality, but the journey would take a twist.

"I was always interested in tactics. Even during my playing days, I was fascinated by game plans and defensive strategies we could use on the court. So, I knew one way or another I was going to coach," said Mbombo Njoya.

"I played for many years and stopped playing after a knee injury. That is when I decided to get my coaching diploma. I first started coaching men."

Ahmed Mbombo Njoya

Mbombo Njoya, the Cameroon national women's team coach,  explained how his daughter Jana, who is now 17 years-old and played for the Serbia U16 team, influenced his shift to coaching women. 

"It's interesting how I came to coach women. My daughter, who plays for Serbia's youth team, came to me one day and asked me if I could teach her the game. So that is when I became interested in coaching women's basketball," said Mbombo Njoya. 

Does the proud father and coach see his daughter playing for Cameroon in the future?

"When she is 18, she will be old enough to choose for herself. She can play for France, Cameroon and Serbia. She has already chosen her mother's country (Serbia), and I understand her choice and I am proud of what she has achieved," said Mbombo Njoya. "She is a good ball player. If she plays for the countries I named I will also be proud. The choice is hers. She knows I am her number one fan."

Jana Mbombo Njoya

The spark lit by his daughter led to him first becoming an assistant coach at the Cameroon women's team. Mbombo Njoya worked with former national team head coach Natasha Cummings-Price at the 2019 AfroBasket in Senegal, where Cameroon finished in 10th. 

Mbombo Njoya, who took over the reins two years later and led his team to an impressive third-place finish in the same tournament on home soil, says 2019 was a teething process.

"Becoming an assistant was something great for me. It was something new for both of us. We were all trying to understand each other," said Mbombo Njoya. 

On Cameroon's commendable 2021 tournament run, Njoya says he felt a sense of pride leading his country.

"It was a great tournament. Coming from Cameroon and having the chance to coach your own country was a proud moment. While it was a great adventure in 2021, it was not easy to play in front of your own fans. Everyone, from fans to the government, had high expectations," said Mbombo Njoya. "We did a great job with what we had. I was proud of the girls. They put in a great effort to get the bronze medal."

Natasha Cummings

Cameroon could only manage a quarter-final finish in last year's AfroBasket, and Mbombo Njoya continues in his role. He recently named his team for the 2025 AfroBasket qualifiers from 15-22 July against a FIBA Zone 4 opponent. 

Ahead of the qualifier for the tournament in Cote d'Ivoire next year, Mbombo Njoya has called up star players Dulcy Fankam, Jessica Thomas, Carine Silatsa and Hermine Ngueko. 

Mbombo Njoya says that getting the team together was a collaboration with the national federation.

"I have selected my main players. I also hope Dulcy Fankam will be there. I also asked the federation if we could have the team a year before AfroBasket (2025). So we have this window to work with the girls, and it means between two AfroBaskets, we have time - even if it's a little - we can focus on the project," said Mbombo Njoya. " Also, it is an opportunity to see some local players and track their progress. Hopefully, the best of them can be part of the team going forward."

Ahmed Mbombo Njoya

Mbombo Njoya also spoke about his vision future for the national team. 

"I have a lot of hopes and dreams. I would like to lead Cameroon to a World Cup and the Olympics. I hope to take them that far. If it is not me, I hope another coach helps the team to reach those levels," concluded Mbombo Njoya.

FIBA