Anatole Abang
Anatole Bertrand Abang | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 6, 1996 Yaoundé, Cameroon |
| Occupation | Professional footballer |
| Years active | 2015– |
| Known for | Forward for Al Bataeh, Cameroon national team |
Anatole Bertrand Abang (born 6 July 1996) is a professional footballer from Cameroon who occupies the forward position and currently plays for Al Bataeh in the UAE Pro League.
Early life
Abang was born in Yaoundé and initiated his football journey with the local outfit AS Fortuna de Yaounde. Subsequently, his playing rights were obtained by Rainbow Bamenda.
New York Red Bulls
At the start of 2015, Abang underwent a trial period with the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer, where he made a strong impression during preseason. The club officially secured his transfer from Rainbow FC on 5 March 2015. He made his professional debut on 8 March 2015, coming on as a substitute in the second half during a 1–1 away draw against Sporting Kansas City. Abang netted his first goal for the senior team on 6 June 2015, despite the team’s 4–2 defeat to Houston Dynamo. On 28 June, he provided an assist for Chris Duvall in a 3–1 derby triumph over New York City FC. Shortly thereafter, on 1 July, Abang scored the decisive goal in a 4–1 victory over local rivals New York Cosmos in the US Open Cup. He later added New York’s final goal in a 3–1 away win against Philadelphia Union on 1 August.
Loan to New York Red Bulls II
Throughout the 2015 campaign, Abang spent time on loan with New York Red Bulls II. He opened the scoring for the club’s inaugural goal on 4 April in a 4–1 win over Toronto FC II. Over the season, he contributed key goals, including equalizers in matches against the Charleston Battery on both 18 April and 17 May. On 24 May, he scored the first goal in a 3–2 victory versus FC Montreal.
In 2016, Abang maintained his influence at New York Red Bulls II by scoring on 10 April during a commanding 4–0 win over Bethlehem Steel FC, and again on 7 May in a 3–1 success against Pittsburgh Riverhounds.
Loan to Hobro IK
On 22 August 2016, Abang was loaned to Danish side Hobro IK for the duration of the 2016–17 Danish 1st Division season. He found the net three times across ten league appearances before his loan spell was cut short, leading to his return to New York Red Bulls on 31 January 2017.
Loan to SJK
Abang joined Finnish club SJK on loan on 28 March 2017, with an agreement extending until July of that year. However, this arrangement was ended prematurely on 10 May 2017.
Loan to Astra Giurgiu
On 9 August 2017, Abang moved on loan to Romanian top-tier team FC Astra Giurgiu, with the deal set to last until July 2018. During this period, he featured in 29 matches and scored five goals.
Nantong Zhiyun
Abang transferred to newly promoted Chinese club Nantong Zhiyun of China League One on 19 February 2019.
Sheriff Tiraspol
He signed with Moldovan outfit FC Sheriff Tiraspol on 6 February 2020.
Keşla
On 26 December 2020, Abang agreed to a one-year contract with Azerbaijani side Keşla FK. He departed following the conclusion of this contract.
International career
Abang has represented Cameroon at the Under-17 level since making his debut in 2012 and has been included within the Under-20 squad pool. On 10 March 2016, he earned a call-up to Cameroon’s senior national team for an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against South Africa.
Club
| Club | Season | League | Cup | League Cup | Continental | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Appearances | Goals | Appearances | Goals | Appearances | Goals | Appearances | Goals | Appearances | Goals | ||
| New York Red Bulls | 2015 | MLS | 17 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 6 |
| 2016 | MLS | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | |
| Sum | 25 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 6 | ||
| New York Red Bulls II (loan) | 2015 | USL Championship | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 6 | 4 | ||
| 2016 | USL Championship | 8 | 4 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 8 | 4 | |||
| Sum | 14 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 8 | ||
| Hobro IK (loan) | 2016–17 | Danish 1st Division | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 10 | 3 | ||
| SJK Seinäjoki (loan) | 2017 | Veikkausliiga | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 6 | 0 | ||
| Astra Giurgiu (loan) | 2017–18 | Liga I | 26 | 5 | 3 | 0 | – | – | 29 | 5 | ||
| New York Red Bulls II (loan) | 2018 | USL Championship | 7 | 3 | – | 2 | 0 | – | 9 | 3 | ||
| Nantong Zhiyun | 2019 | China League One | 12 | 6 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 13 | 6 | ||
| Sheriff Tiraspol | 2020–21 | Moldovan Super Liga | 8 | 5 | – | – | 2* | 1 | 10 | 6 | ||
| Keşla | 2020–21 | Azerbaijan Premier League | 13 | 0 | 5 | 1 | – | – | 18 | 1 | ||
| 2021–22 | Azerbaijan Premier League | 10 | 4 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 10 | 4 | |||
| Combined | 23 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 5 | ||
| Al Bataeh | 2022–23 | UAE Pro League | 23 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | – | 28 | 7 | |
| 2023–24 | UAE Pro League | 25 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | – | 28 | 9 | ||
| 2024–25 | UAE Pro League | 16 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | – | 19 | 11 | ||
| Aggregate | 64 | 23 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 75 | 27 | ||
| Overall career total | 195 | 61 | 16 | 3 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 223 | 69 | ||
International goals
- Cameroon's tally is listed first in scores and outcomes.
| Goal number | Date | Location | Opponent | Score at time of goal | Final score | Competition type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 6 September 2016 | Limbe Stadium, Limbe, Cameroon | Template:Fb | 1–0 | 2–1 | \Friendly\ |
Honors
- New York Red Bulls
- MLS Supporters' Shield (2): 2015, 2018
External links
- Anatole Abang profile at New York Red Bulls
- 1996 births
- Living people
- Footballers from Yaoundé
- Cameroonian men's footballers
- Cameroonian expatriate men's footballers
- Cameroon men's international footballers
- Cameroon men's youth international footballers
- 21st-century Cameroonian sportsmen
- Cameroon men's under-20 international footballers
- Men's association football forwards
- Rainbow FC (Cameroon) players
- New York Red Bulls players
- New York Red Bulls II players
- Hobro IK players
- Seinäjoen Jalkapallokerho players
- FC Astra Giurgiu players
- Nantong Zhiyun F.C. players
- FC Sheriff Tiraspol players
- Shamakhi FK players
- Al Bataeh Club players
- China League One players
- Major League Soccer players
- USL Championship players
- Danish 1st Division players
- Veikkausliiga players
- Liga I players
- Moldovan Super Liga players
- Azerbaijan Premier League players
- UAE First Division League players
- UAE Pro League players
- Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States
- Cameroonian expatriate sportspeople in the United States
- Expatriate men's footballers in Denmark
- Cameroonian expatriate sportspeople in Denmark
- Expatriate men's footballers in Finland
- Cameroonian expatriate sportspeople in Finland
- Expatriate men's footballers in Romania
- Cameroonian expatriate sportspeople in Romania
- Expatriate men's footballers in China
- Cameroonian expatriate sportspeople in China
- Expatriate men's footballers in Moldova
- Cameroonian expatriate sportspeople in Moldova
- Expatriate men's footballers in Azerbaijan
- Cameroonian expatriate sportspeople in Azerbaijan
- Expatriate men's footballers in the United Arab Emirates
- Cameroonian expatriate sportspeople in the United Arab Emirates