By Angu Lesley
On a tense Wednesday afternoon in Bamenda, inside the Nkwen Proximity Stadium, one man stood between pressure and history. At just 23, Aliou Souleyman Hendji delivered a commanding performance to secure a 0-0 draw for RS Fortuna against PWD Bamenda — a result that made Fortuna the first side to take points off PWD on their home ground since their relocation. But beyond the result, it was the manner of his performance that captured hearts.
This was no isolated display. Just days earlier, Hendji had been decisive again in Fortuna’s 1-0 victory over Colom, the regional champions. Across those two matches, he recorded 14 saves and two clean sheets — 8 saves against Colom and 6 against PWD Bamenda. Calm under pressure, sharp in reflexes, and increasingly authoritative, he has become the backbone of his side. At full-time in Bamenda, admiration turned into a rare scene as fans flooded the pitch, eager to take photos, shake his hands, and celebrate the goalkeeper who had just delivered a masterclass.
A Dream Denied
In 2019, Hendji was part of Cameroon’s U-17 squad preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations in Tanzania. He had earned his place and traveled with the team through Rwanda and Tanzania, ready for his breakthrough moment. Then came the devastating verdict: the MRI test ruled him ineligible.
Confused, hurt, and isolated in Dar es Salaam, he withdrew from teammates and the outside world. In the midst of that darkness, he approached Angu Lesley with a simple but heavy question:
Now that they say I can’t play this U-17 AFCON because I’m ineligible… does this mean the end of my career? Can I still play football again?”
The response he received would stay with him. He was told that the decision did not define who he was — that it was not a label of cheating, but simply an interpretation of bone fusion from a test, and that he could still go on to have a great career.
He listened quietly, said “Okay, thank you,” and walked away — but he never forgot.
Lost, Then Rebuilt
Returning to Cameroon, the emotional weight of that moment lingered. Confidence was shaken, and his path became uncertain. For a while, his career slowed under the psychological impact of the setback.
But Hendji refused to disappear.
He moved to Niger in search of a fresh start, stepping away from pressure and quietly rebuilding both his mindset and his game. It was away from the spotlight that he rediscovered belief and sharpened his craft.
By last season, he had returned to Cameroon with Atlantic Club of Kribi, playing a key role in their run to the semifinals of the Cup of Cameroon — a strong signal that he was finding his way back.
Owning the Moment at Fortuna
His move to RS Fortuna brought new expectations. Hendji was stepping into the shoes of long-serving captain Fanseu Ismael, a goalkeeper whose presence defined the club for years.
Rather than shrink, he rose.
This season, he has established himself as one of the most reliable goalkeepers in the Cameroon top flight, and his recent back-to-back performances have elevated his status even further. With 14 saves and two clean sheets in just two matches, he is not just performing — he is leading.
His name also carries echoes of legacy, recalling Souleymanou Hamidou, who represented Cameroon at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2010 FIFA World Cup before later guiding the national team as a goalkeeper coach alongside André Onana. Now, Aliou Souleyman Hendji is carving his own path.
The Answer
From a young boy questioning his future in Tanzania to a man commanding admiration in Bamenda, Hendji’s journey has come full circle.
The doubt, the pain, the rebuilding — all of it has led here.
And with every save, every clean sheet, every rising cheer from the stands, he continues to answer the question he once asked.
Yes — he can still play.
And yes — he is just getting started.
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