Cameroonian journalist Henry-Paul Diabate Manden recently drew a parallel between midfielder Junior Dîna Ebimbe and former Cameroonian international Philippe Ndioro. This comparison follows Ebimbe's performances, including his match against Marseille with Brest.
Diabate Manden admitted that he initially made a hasty judgment on Ebimbe during the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where great expectations were placed on him to energize the Cameroonian team's play. However, he recognizes that the player was not at his physical peak after a difficult season.
"Apparently under the effect of disappointment, during the 2026 AFCON, I had a hasty judgment on the qualities of the Indomitable Lion Dîna Ebimbe, in the wake of his XXL performance against Lille, yesterday started for the second time with Brest against Marseille, he gave a very good performance. His movement and technical play lit up Brest's game," explains Henry-Paul Diabate Manden.
He then draws a parallel with Philippe Ndioro, a talented player from the 80s who did not meet expectations when he was selected for the national team in 1985. Ndioro, who played for Nice, was known for his partnership with Jules Bocandé. Diabate Manden recalls a match where Ndioro preferred to pass to Roger Milla rather than shoot at goal, an misunderstood choice that led to criticism and his disappearance from the team.
"This reminds me of Philippe Ndioro. Strategist of Nice, the perfect double of Ruud Gullit with Dreadslooks, immense physique and son-in-law smile, illuminated the game of the Azure club with his Siamese brother Jules Bocandé. Selected in the Indomitable Lions, in 1985, he was aligned in attack in an unprecedented duo with Roger Milla, but his performance was not brilliant," says Henry-Paul Diabate Manden.
Diabate Manden concludes by calling for patience with athletes, stressing that many factors can influence their performance and mask their potential.
Philippe Ndioro, born in 1962, played for several French clubs, including Olympique Lyonnais and OGC Nice. He was also a Cameroonian international. Junior Dina Ebimbe, meanwhile, has played for PSG, Frankfurt and Brest. He represented Cameroon at the 2026 AFCON. Ebimbe joined Brest on loan in September 2025.
The comparison between Ebimbe and Ndioro highlights the complexity of assessing a player's potential based on a limited number of performances. Only the future will tell if Ebimbe will manage to establish himself permanently with the Indomitable Lions.
