Achille Emaná

Betis On 11 June 2008, Real Betis began negotiations with Toulouse for Emaná; the player was quoted as being keen to secure a move to Spain to further his career, even though his current club had apparently already rejected two bids for his signature. On 22 July, he finally completed his transfer for a fee of £5.5 million.

Emaná scored his first goal for Betis on 19 October 2008, in a 3–0 home win over RCD Mallorca. In mid-April 2009, he added braces against Racing de Santander (3–2 away victory) and Sporting de Gijón (2–0 at home), finishing his first season with 11 goals – squad-best – and seven assists, but the Andalusians were relegated in the last matchday.

In spite of heavy speculation about his future, Emaná continued to be an essential unit in the following Segunda División seasons. The attacking trio of himself and strikers Rubén Castro and Jorge Molina combined for more than 50 league goals in 2010–11 as his side returned to the top flight after two years of absence.

Later career On 11 August 2011, Emaná moved to Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal SFC in a deal worth US$6 million. In January 2012, he was loaned to United Arab Emirates' Shabab Al Ahli Club until June, and the move was made permanent on 27 July.

On 22 January 2013, Emaná was loaned to Al Wasl F.C. also from the UAE Pro League until the end of the season, mainly as a replacement to long-term injured Mariano Donda. On 27 August, when his loan expired, he agreed to a permanent deal with Cruz Azul from Mexico.

Emaná signed with Atlante F.C. on 17 December 2014 on loan until June, after being transfer listed. On 24 July 2015, already as a free agent, he joined Gimnàstic de Tarragona initially on trial, and subsequently signed a one-year contract.

On 20 July 2016, Emaná switched teams and countries again, joining Tokushima Vortis. With no appearances to his credit for the J2 League side, he returned to Nàstic on 12 December.

In August 2017, the 35-year-old Emaná was transferred to Indian Super League side Mumbai City FC for the upcoming season. In October 2018, he returned to Spain with CD Gerena of Tercera División, and the following January moved to Segunda División B with CF Badalona; he failed to make an appearance for either team, mainly due to bureaucratic problems, then joined UD San Sebastián de los Reyes in August, leaving on 21 January 2020.

Emaná signed for Real Jaén in summer 2020.

International career Having made his debut on 11 February 2003 in a 3–0 friendly loss against Ivory Coast in Châteauroux, Emaná was part of Cameroon's squad at that year's FIFA Confederations Cup. He also appeared for the country in the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations, where his side exited in the quarter-finals.

In July 2007, frustrated with the treatment he received whilst at the service of the national team, Emaná retired from international play. He returned shortly after, appearing in the 2008 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations where he scored against Zambia in a 5–1 group stage win; they eventually lost the final to Egypt.

Emaná represented Cameroon at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, playing two games – two defeats – in a group-stage exit. He won 42 caps and scored six goals in ten years.

After retiring, Emaná worked as a model.

Career statistics International

Scores and results list Cameroon's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Emaná goal.

Honours Toulouse Ligue 2: 2002–03

Betis Segunda División: 2010–11

Al Ahli UAE League Cup: 2011–12

Cruz Azul CONCACAF Champions League: 2013–14

Cameroon Africa Cup of Nations runner-up: 2008

FIFA Confederations Cup runner up: 2003