Marked for Ahmat Ndoram
From our football correspondent
Uneasy
Market17 Jul 2028
The last thing about a transfer that is still about the player is his signature on his own terms, and it is there. AS Algoy have lost him in all but the paperwork.
Market17 Jul 2028
“This is not anger. I have thought about it for months, and nothing that has happened lately changed my mind.” The request is on a desk at AS Algoy, and it is not being withdrawn.
The dugout17 Jul 2028
This is not rotation. Ezechiel Mbainaissem has not been in the manager's plans for some time, and nobody at AS Algoy is pretending otherwise.
Transfer targets17 Jul 2028
The approach was made and the answer came back in a sentence. There is no number on the table because there was no number that would have been enough.
Squad17 Jul 2028
Florent Warna was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.
The dugout17 Jul 2028
Brahim Abakar gets picked when it counts
Every manager keeps a short list in his head of the men he wants on the pitch when the stakes rise, and it is never published. The team sheets for the big afternoons say Brahim Abakar is on it.
The dugout17 Jul 2028
“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Hassan Doungous, and the manager let it.
Market17 Jul 2028
The Adam Djimet talk will not go away
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. AS Algoy know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
Back issues
From our football correspondent
Uneasy
Market10 Jul 2028
Fee agreed, wages agreed, and US Moursal waiting with a shirt. Nobody at AS Algoy is pretending otherwise, and the supporters have stopped asking whether and started asking when.
Market10 Jul 2028
“This is not anger. I have thought about it for months, and nothing that has happened lately changed my mind.” The request is on a desk at AS Algoy, and it is not being withdrawn.
The dugout10 Jul 2028
This is not rotation. Oumar Doungous has not been in the manager's plans for some time, and nobody at AS Algoy is pretending otherwise.
Transfer targets10 Jul 2028
The approach was made and the answer came back in a sentence. There is no number on the table because there was no number that would have been enough.
Squad10 Jul 2028
Words exchanged at AS Algoy
Florent Warna and a teammate said things this week that will take longer than a week to unsay. It was not about football, and both of them play on Saturday.
The dugout10 Jul 2028
“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Brahim Abakar, and the manager let it.
The dugout10 Jul 2028
Every manager keeps a short list in his head of the men he wants on the pitch when the stakes rise, and it is never published. The team sheets for the big afternoons say Ezechiel Ngaradoumbe is on it.
Market10 Jul 2028
It has been denied twice and printed three times, which is the usual arithmetic. Until Abdoulaye Abba signs something — a contract at AS Algoy or anywhere else — this column belongs to him.
Market10 Jul 2028
“We are a long way apart, and pretending otherwise helps nobody.” Neither side is close, and the calendar is not on the club's side.
From our football correspondent
Uneasy
Squad12 Jun 2028
Marius Souleymane damages knee ligaments — 14 days out
The words a physio says slowly. 14 days is what the club will announce and everybody who has heard this diagnosis before knows the number is the least of it: the knee comes back before the player does.
Market12 Jun 2028
Fee agreed, wages agreed, and US Moursal waiting with a shirt. Nobody at AS Algoy is pretending otherwise, and the supporters have stopped asking whether and started asking when.
Squad12 Jun 2028
Adam Abakar in a row with a teammate
It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at AS Algoy this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.
The dugout12 Jun 2028
This is not rotation. Oumar Doungous has not been in the manager's plans for some time, and nobody at AS Algoy is pretending otherwise.
Squad12 Jun 2028
A row about effort at AS Algoy
Somebody said out loud what several people thought about how hard another man trains, and Djibrine Mahamat was in the middle of it. The one dressing-room argument that is genuinely about football.
Market12 Jun 2028
Both sides expect a conversation in the coming days. AS Algoy will name a price, and everything after that is arithmetic.
The dugout12 Jun 2028
Every manager keeps a short list in his head of the men he wants on the pitch when the stakes rise, and it is never published. The team sheets for the big afternoons say Ezechiel Ngaradoumbe is on it.
The dugout12 Jun 2028
No hiding place for Adam Abba
“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Adam Abba, and the manager let it.
The dugout12 Jun 2028
Nicolas Fai knocks on the manager's door
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at AS Algoy, and both men came out saying it was fine.
From our football correspondent
Uneasy
Squad15 May 2028
“The easiest signature of my career.” Issa Mbainaissem and AS Algoy agree another 3 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.
Squad15 May 2028
Adam Abakar in a row with a teammate
It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at AS Algoy this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.
The dugout15 May 2028
This is not rotation. Oumar Doungous has not been in the manager's plans for some time, and nobody at AS Algoy is pretending otherwise.
The dugout15 May 2028
Every manager keeps a short list in his head of the men he wants on the pitch when the stakes rise, and it is never published. The team sheets for the big afternoons say Ezechiel Ngaradoumbe is on it.
The dugout15 May 2028
The manager makes an example of Ahmat Ndoram
“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.
Squad15 May 2028
A row about effort at AS Algoy
Somebody said out loud what several people thought about how hard another man trains, and Idriss Djimet was in the middle of it. The one dressing-room argument that is genuinely about football.
From our football correspondent
Uneasy
Player ratings17 Apr 2028
One scored and one made, which is a different afternoon from scoring twice and an easier one to overlook. Marked 7.78, and involved in 2 of his side's goals.
Squad17 Apr 2028
Adam Abakar in a row with a teammate
It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at AS Algoy this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.
The dugout17 Apr 2028
This is not rotation. Oumar Doungous has not been in the manager's plans for some time, and nobody at AS Algoy is pretending otherwise.
Match15 Apr 2028
AS Algoy leaking at the back
4 matches, two or more conceded in every one of them. Sides that create as much as this can live with it for a while. Nobody lives with it forever.
Match15 Apr 2028
It finished 2‑2, and it somehow always looked like it would. One of those afternoons where the table moves less than the tempers.
The dugout17 Apr 2028
It is never announced and it is entirely visible: the biggest afternoons of the season keep containing him. A press box works this out long before anybody at the club confirms a word of it.
The dugout17 Apr 2028
“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Ahmat Ndoram, and the manager let it.
The dugout17 Apr 2028
The manager’s verdict
“I am frustrated, honestly. We did enough to win and we did not win.” Adam Mahamat was not hiding it after 2‑2, and nobody in the AS Algoy dressing room was either.
Player ratings17 Apr 2028
Successful dribbles: 13. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.
From our football correspondent
Uneasy
Player ratings10 Apr 2028
There is a particular kind of quiet from an away end watching one man score twice. Ezechiel Ngaradoumbe provided it, and the 8.37 beside his name is if anything generous to everybody else.
The dugout10 Apr 2028
“I remember the meeting. I remember exactly what was promised in it.” AS Algoy may remember it differently, which is precisely the problem.
The dugout10 Apr 2028
This is not rotation. Adam Djimet has not been in the manager's plans for some time, and nobody at AS Algoy is pretending otherwise.
Squad10 Apr 2028
Djibrine Mahamat falls out with a teammate over standards
The oldest argument in any dressing room and the only one that is genuinely about football: one man thinks another is not putting enough in. It is also the row a manager privately does not mind having happened.
Squad10 Apr 2028
Nicolas Fai in a row with a teammate
It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at AS Algoy this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.
The dugout10 Apr 2028
“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.
Match8 Apr 2028
Late, late show earns AS Algoy a point
Minute 91, against AS PSI, and a goal that felt like a win to everybody who had stayed. It was a draw. Nobody leaving the ground will describe it as one.
Squad10 Apr 2028
“The easiest signature of my career.” Moussa Abakar and AS Algoy agree another 3 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.
Match8 Apr 2028
A 2‑2 draw with AS PSI leaves the dressing room somewhere between relief and regret.
From our football correspondent
Steady
Market24 Jan 2028
“This is not anger. I have thought about it for months, and nothing that has happened lately changed my mind.” The request is on a desk at AS Algoy, and it is not being withdrawn.
Squad24 Jan 2028
Adam Abakar in a row with a teammate
It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at AS Algoy this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.
Transfer targets24 Jan 2028
Not now, not at any price the club was prepared to say out loud. Galactik have kept their man, and AS Algoy go back to a list with one name crossed off it.
The dugout24 Jan 2028
The manager makes an example of Nicolas Fai
“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.
The dugout24 Jan 2028
“I would rather say it to his face than read about it.” The meeting was requested by the player, which tells you most of what you need to know.
Market24 Jan 2028
“They were honest with me, and I would rather know.” Oumar Tokindang has been informed he is not in the manager's thinking at AS Algoy.
The dugout24 Jan 2028
The manager has not finished forgetting Oumar Tokindang's mistake
Publicly it is behind everybody. It is not behind the man who picks the team, and the only place that shows is a team sheet. He will get another chance; he will get it in a match that matters less.
The dugout24 Jan 2028
Brahim Abakar gets picked when it counts
Every manager keeps a short list in his head of the men he wants on the pitch when the stakes rise, and it is never published. The team sheets for the big afternoons say Brahim Abakar is on it.
From our football correspondent
Steady
Market15 Nov 2027
“This is not anger. I have thought about it for months, and nothing that has happened lately changed my mind.” The request is on a desk at AS Algoy, and it is not being withdrawn.
The dugout15 Nov 2027
“I remember the meeting. I remember exactly what was promised in it.” AS Algoy may remember it differently, which is precisely the problem.
Squad15 Nov 2027
A row about effort at AS Algoy
Somebody said out loud what several people thought about how hard another man trains, and Djibrine Mahamat was in the middle of it. The one dressing-room argument that is genuinely about football.
Loan watch15 Nov 2027
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at AS Algoy, and 1 appearances in 17 say he has earned the hearing.
Market15 Nov 2027
“I was told straight, and I would rather have it straight.” The manager at AS Algoy has been clear about where Abdramane Doungous stands, which is more than many ever get.
Squad15 Nov 2027
Words exchanged at AS Algoy
Adam Oumar and a teammate said things this week that will take longer than a week to unsay. It was not about football, and both of them play on Saturday.
The dugout15 Nov 2027
Every manager keeps a short list in his head of the men he wants on the pitch when the stakes rise, and it is never published. The team sheets for the big afternoons say Ezechiel Ngaradoumbe is on it.
The dugout15 Nov 2027
“Thirty minutes, door closed, everything said. We shook hands after.” Whatever was in the room stayed in the room, and Issa Mbainaissem trained the next morning like a man with less to carry.
The dugout15 Nov 2027
Oumar Tokindang is still being punished for one mistake
Nobody will confirm it and the team sheets confirm it every week. One error has bought him a spell as second choice that is already longer than the error deserved.
From our football correspondent
Uneasy
Market15 Feb 2027
“This is not anger. I have thought about it for months, and nothing that has happened lately changed my mind.” The request is on a desk at AS Algoy, and it is not being withdrawn.
Squad15 Feb 2027
A falling-out at AS Algoy
Adam Abakar and a teammate went at it, and not about football. Training grounds are small places and a long season makes them smaller.
Loan watch15 Feb 2027
“I watch every AS Algoy game from here. That says everything about where my head is.” The loan at CotonTchad runs its course, but his heart never made the trip.
Squad15 Feb 2027
“I never wanted to be anywhere else. There is unfinished business here.” Saleh Oumar commits to AS Algoy for another 3 years.
Player ratings15 Feb 2027
15 times he got in the way of something. Centre-halves get written about when they make mistakes and ignored when they do not, so an afternoon like this needs saying out loud: he is the reason the scoreline reads as it does.
The dugout15 Feb 2027
Every manager keeps a short list in his head of the men he wants on the pitch when the stakes rise, and it is never published. The team sheets for the big afternoons say Abdoulaye Abba is on it.
The dugout15 Feb 2027
Half-satisfied: Adam Mahamat on the draw
“There are things I liked and things we will be doing on Tuesday until they are right.” 0‑0, and a manager who had already decided what Tuesday looked like.
The dugout15 Feb 2027
“Thirty minutes, door closed, everything said. We shook hands after.” Whatever was in the room stayed in the room, and Ezechiel Mbainaissem trained the next morning like a man with less to carry.
Player ratings15 Feb 2027
Successful dribbles: 12. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.