Cyrille Makanaky

Cyrille Thomas Makanaky (born 28 June 1965) is a Cameroonian retired footballer who played as an attacking midfielder.

Cyrille Makanaky
Personal information
Full name Cyrille Thomas Makanaky
Date of birth (1965-06-28) 28 June 1965
Place of birth Douala, Cameroon
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1984–1985 Saint-Leu 30 (26)
1985–1987 Gazélec Ajaccio 48 (22)
1987–1988 Toulon 21 (3)
1988–1989 Lens 14 (3)
1989–1990 Toulon 3 (0)
1990–1992 Málaga 39 (6)
1992–1993 Villarreal 16 (0)
1993–1994 Maccabi Tel Aviv 30 (5)
1994–1995 Barcelona SC 30 (9)
1995–1996 Gazélec Ajaccio 34 (18)
1996–1997 Barcelona SC 24 (1)
Total 289 (93)
National team
1987–1993 Cameroon 14 (3)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

Makanaky was born in Douala. After impressing at amateur level in France, with FC Saint-Leu and Gazélec Ajaccio, he represented, with little impact but always in Ligue 1, SC Toulon (twice) and RC Lens.

In 1990, Makanaky moved to Spain and remained in the country for three years, playing in Segunda División for CD Málaga and Villarreal CF. His second year, whilst at the Andalusians, finished in relegation, and the club folded soon afterwards.

Until his retirement at the age of 32, Makanaky also played in Israel with Maccabi Tel Aviv FC, Ecuador for Barcelona Sporting Club – two spells, winning the national league on both occasions – and France with former side Gazélec.

International career

Makanaky appeared in two Africa Cup of Nations with the Cameroon national team. In the 1988 edition, held in Morocco, he scored the game's only goal, helping defeat the hosts in the semifinals and eventually winning the trophy.

Makanaky also represented the nation at the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy, playing all five matches (two complete) as the Lions Indomptables reached the quarterfinals.

In popular culture "Makanaki" is a nickname coined from Makanaky's name and was commonly used in some Yoruba speaking parts of western Nigeria after the exploits of the Cameroun National Team in the FIFA 1990 World Cup. The ruggedness and flamboyance of Makanaky led to the use of the Nigerianized version of the name to be used to refer to a skillful and rugged person.

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