Alphonse Tchami, the Cameroonian who played alongside Maradona at Boca Juniors

Despite having a short spell with the club, Alphonse Tchami remains part of Boca Juniors’ history thanks to one unforgettable goal.

In the rich history of Boca Juniors, there are iconic goals, legendary idols, and unforgettable nights—but also players who, despite brief stints, left a lasting mark. One of them is Alphonse Tchami, the only African footballer to score in a Superclásico against River Plate, a feat that still resonates with Boca fans nearly three decades later.

Alphonse Marie Tchami played alongside Maradona at Boca

Alphonse Marie Tchami spent just two seasons at Boca Juniors, making his debut in a 2–0 win over Banfield. His overall record stands at 11 goals in 50 appearances, but his impact went far beyond the numbers.

He shared the dressing room with legends such as Diego Maradona, Claudio Caniggia, and Alberto Márcico, earning the respect of supporters through his power, commitment, and physical presence.

“For me, it was a dream to play with him. Before coming to Boca, Maradona was a god to me. When they told me I would play alongside him, I can’t describe what I felt. It was the best moment of my career: Boca and Maradona,” Tchami once said in an interview with Olé.

In 1997, the Cameroonian was transferred to Hertha Berlin for $1.1 million, beginning a nomadic journey that took him to the United Arab Emirates, Scotland, France, Ukraine, China, and Lebanon.

The only Cameroonian to score against River Plate in a Superclásico

June 18, 1995, remains etched in Boca folklore. On that night, in a packed Estadio Monumental, Boca defeated River 4–2 in the Clausura Tournament.

Amid tension and star performances, Tchami stepped up to write his name into club history. He scored Boca’s third goal with a memorable finish: a clean first touch, a quick glance at the goalkeeper, and a powerful strike into the top corner, leaving Germán Burgos with no chance.

What happened to Alphonse Tchami after retirement?

After retiring from football, Tchami became a player agent and later served as Vice President of the Cameroonian Football Federation in 2017, the year the Indomitable Lions won the Africa Cup of Nations.

According to Argentine media, he later stepped down due to internal disagreements and shifted his focus to business ventures, eventually becoming a shareholder in a security and cleaning company in Cameroon.