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François Omam-Biyik is considered as one the best Cameroonian football players ever. After his professional start with Canon de Yaoundé, he came to France and Stade Lavallois in 1987. He managed three good seasons there, before realising an outstanding 1990 World Cup, where he scored the first goal against Argentina. Recruited by Stade Rennes before the competition, he made an excellent start by scoring the two victorious goals against PSG, including a lovely header (2-1). Excellent in the air, he carried on the tradition of great African strikers in Rennes, initiated, among others, by Laurent Pokou. In a Rennes’ team in difficult position, he realized an excellent 1990-1991 season, with 14 goals, mainly scored at home. His career continued in Cannes, briefly in Marseille, and mainly at RC Lens, where he stayed for three years. After an experience in Mexico, he briefly played in Italy and ended his career in Châteauroux. Taking responsibilities at the Cameroonian federation, he became the assistant to the national coach in August 2010.

A Moroccan international Abdeslam Ouaddou struggled to prove he had the ability to be in charge of Rennes’ defence. The target of many criticisms during his stay in Rennes, particularly because of his many defensive blunders, he was left on the bench by the combination of an injury and the emergence of Mensah and Bourillon’s partnership. At the end of his contract, he eventually decided to sign in Greece, for Oympiakos Piraeus, before coming to Ligue 1 soon, signing in Valenciennes.