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Collins Fai
Collins Fai
Collins Fai
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Collins Ngoran Fai (born 13 August 1992) is a Cameroonian professional footballer who plays for the Cameroon national team. Mainly a right back,[5] he can also operate as a left back.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Collins Fai was born and raised in Bamenda, a city of the English-speaking part of Cameroon. He spent his entire youth career at local FC Bamenda.

Club career

[edit]

Aged 19, Fai joined the Cameroonian top team of Union Douala.

In 2013, Fai joined European football for the first time as he signed with the Romanian team of FC Dinamo București.

In January 2016, Fai joined Standard Liège in Belgium. On 17 March 2018, Fai played as Standard Liège beat Genk 1–0 in extra time to win the 2018 Belgian Cup Final and qualify for the UEFA Europa League.[6] On 29 January 2022, Fai joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Tai.[7]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
As of 27 April 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Dinamo București 2013–14 Liga I 11 0 1 0 — — — 12 0
2014–15 24 0 1 0 3 0 — — 28 0
2015–16 21 0 3 0 2 0 — — 26 0
Total 56 0 5 0 5 0 — — 66 0
Standard Liège 2015–16 Belgian Pro League 7 0 1 0 — — — 8 0
2016–17 Belgian First Division A 18 0 0 0 — 5 0 1 0 24 0
2017–18 32 1 6 0 — — — 38 1
2018–19 30 1 0 0 — 7 0 1 0 38 1
2019–20 8 0 2 1 — 3 0 — 13 1
2020–21 19 0 1 0 — 8 0 — 28 0
2021–22 11 1 2 0 — — — 13 1
Total 125 3 12 1 — 23 0 2 0 162 4
Al-Tai 2021–22 Saudi Pro League 9 0 0 0 — — — 9 0
2022–23 25 0 0 0 — — — 25 0
Total 34 0 0 0 — — — 34 0
Radnički Niš 2023–24 Serbian SuperLiga 7 0 0 0 — — 0 0 7 0
Career total 222 3 17 1 5 0 23 0 2 0 269 4

International

[edit]
As of matches played on 7 December 2023[8]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Cameroon 2012 1 0
2013 0 0
2014 0 0
2015 1 0
2016 1 0
2017 15 0
2018 6 0
2019 9 0
2020 1 0
2021 6 0
2022 15 0
2023 1 0
Total 56 0

Honours

[edit]

Union Douala

Standard Liège

Cameroon

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Collins Fai

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Collins Fai (born 13 August 1992) is a professional footballer who plays as a right back for the national team, for which he has earned 74 caps since his debut in 2015 (as of November 2025). Born in , , Fai began his professional career with Union Sportive Douala in 2013 before transferring to Dinamo București in later that year, where he played until 2016. He then joined in , spending six years there from 2016 to 2022 and making the most appearances of his club career at the club, during which he won the in both 2016 and 2018. Subsequently, Fai moved to Al Tai in the from 2022 to 2023, followed by stints at Radnički Niš in (2024) and Tuzla in (early 2025), before becoming a in July 2025. On the international stage, Fai has been a key defender for , contributing to their victory at the and appearing in three matches at the . He was included in the provisional squad for the playoff against DR Congo in November 2025.

Early life and youth career

Early life

Collins Fai was born on 13 August 1992 in , the capital of Cameroon's Northwest Region, to Cameroonian parents. He grew up in this English-speaking area. Fai is of Nso ethnicity. Fai was raised in a household where education was prioritized by his parents, though football held a special place due to his father's influence. His father, an avid supporter of a local club who volunteered in the press to manage it, introduced him to the sport early on. This paternal encouragement provided a foundation in a cultural context where community ties in the Northwest Region often revolved around shared activities like watching local matches. Fai's initial exposure to football occurred through informal community engagements in Bamenda, including accompanying his father to games and serving as a ball boy for the local team. He later recalled, "My father... he used to take me to watch the games and gradually, he made me be a ball boy. That's how the love started." In Cameroon's resource-constrained environment at the time, such interactions were common entry points for young players, blending street play with organized local events before formal training. This early foundation in Bamenda's football culture eventually led Fai to structured youth training around age 13.

Youth career

Collins Fai, full name Collins Ngoran Suiru Fai, began his organized football training by joining FC Bamenda Academy in 2004 at the age of 12, where he spent the next seven years developing his abilities until 2011. Throughout his time at the academy, Fai focused on the defender role, particularly as a right-back, refining his defensive techniques, positioning, and attacking contributions from the flank during youth-level games and regional competitions in . As a right-footed player standing at 1.65 meters tall, his physical attributes supported his progression in the position, allowing him to build speed, stamina, and tactical awareness essential for competitive youth football.

Professional club career

Early career in Cameroon and initial European transfer

Collins Fai transitioned from youth football to the senior professional level in after developing at PWD Bamenda. He signed his first professional contract with on July 1, 2011, joining on a free transfer and competing in the Elite One, the top tier of Cameroonian football. In January 2013, Fai was loaned out to Njalla Quan Sports Academy (NQSA) from , a move that provided additional playing experience before returning to his parent club at the end of June 2013. Fai's initial transfer to European football came in July 2013, when he joined Romanian side Dinamo București on a free transfer from . The move, completed on July 20, represented a significant step in his career, exposing him to a higher level of competition. Over the next three seasons with Dinamo București from 2013 to 2016, Fai established himself as a reliable right-back, accumulating 56 appearances in without scoring any goals. His debut season (2013–14) saw 11 league outings as he adjusted to the demands of European professional football. The 2014–15 campaign marked a breakthrough year, with Fai featuring in 24 matches, contributing to Dinamo's efforts in the league while gaining valuable experience in a more tactical and physically intense environment compared to Cameroonian football. In his final partial season (2015–16), he added 21 appearances before departing in 2016.

Standard Liège period

Collins Fai transferred to Standard Liège from Dinamo București in January 2016 for a fee of €150,000. He made his debut for the club in the Belgian Pro League on February 20, 2016, during a 3-0 home victory over Sporting Charleroi SC. Over the course of his tenure from 2016 to January 2022, Fai accumulated 162 appearances and scored 4 goals across all competitions, establishing himself as a reliable right-back. The 2017–18 season marked one of Fai's standout campaigns at , where he featured in 38 matches, including 23 in , 9 in the , and 6 in the , while contributing 1 goal and several assists. His performances helped bolster the team's defensive solidity, with Standard finishing third in the Pro League and advancing deep in cup competitions. Fai's versatility and pace on the right flank were key to the side's improved backline organization that year. A highlight of Fai's time at Standard came in the 2018 Belgian Cup, where he played a role in the final against on March 17, 2018, at the King Baudouin Stadium. Standard secured a 1–0 victory in extra time, with Fai attempting a notable long-range shot in the second half as part of their offensive efforts. This triumph, Standard's first major trophy since 1993, qualified the club for the and showcased Fai's contributions to the squad's success. Fai also featured consistently in qualifiers during his Standard spell, including 3 appearances in the 2020–21 qualifying rounds and 4 in the 2018–19 Champions League qualifiers. These European outings, totaling 7 matches in qualifiers, highlighted his adaptation to higher-stakes defensive duties after his earlier experience at Dinamo București. By his departure in January 2022, Fai had become a mainstay, with his 22 assists underscoring his attacking contributions from defense.

Moves to Saudi Arabia and beyond

In January 2022, Fai transferred from to Al-Tai in the for a fee of €300,000. During his time with Al-Tai from 2022 to 2023, he made 34 appearances without scoring any goals, contributing to the team's efforts in avoiding relegation in the 2022–23 season, where they finished 13th. His contract with Al-Tai was terminated in July 2023, making him a . After five months without a club, Fai signed with side Radnički Niš on 18 January 2024 as a . His stint there was brief and limited, featuring in only 7 matches without goals before being released in July 2024. Following another period as a , Fai joined Bosnian Premier League club on 26 February 2025, signing a short-term until 31 May 2025. He appeared in 6 matches for without scoring, helping the team in their defensive efforts during the latter part of the 2024–25 season. Upon the 's expiration, Fai became a again as of July 2025.

International career

Senior debut and early appearances

Collins Fai earned his first call-up to the Cameroon senior national team in September 2015, ahead of a friendly match against , following strong performances with Dinamo București in the Romanian . He made his official debut on 11 October 2015 in that 3–0 victory over , starting as a right-back and contributing to a solid defensive display in the international friendly. Fai's early international appearances came primarily through Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers and World Cup qualifying matches, where he demonstrated defensive reliability without scoring any goals. In September 2016, he featured in a 2–0 win against Gambia during the 2017 AFCON qualifiers, playing the full 90 minutes as Cameroon secured a crucial group stage victory. By the end of 2017, Fai had accumulated approximately 18 caps, solidifying his role in the squad through consistent selections in these competitive fixtures. During the 2017 AFCON qualifying campaign, Fai became a regular option at right-back, participating in key matches that helped top their group and qualify for the tournament, including a notable in a 1–0 win over in October 2016. His early contributions emphasized tactical discipline and versatility in defense, earning praise for aiding the team's qualification efforts without major errors.

Africa Cup of Nations participations

Collins Fai participated in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations held in Gabon, where he started all three group stage matches for Cameroon against Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, and Burkina Faso. As a right-back, he contributed to Cameroon's progression from Group A, featuring in six total appearances during the tournament, including the round of 16 victory over Senegal, the quarter-final win against Ghana, and the final against Egypt. Cameroon ultimately won the title with a 2–1 victory over Egypt in the final, marking their fifth AFCON championship. In the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, Fai started in all three group stage games against Ghana, Benin, and Guinea-Bissau, helping Cameroon advance from Group F despite a 2–2 draw against Ghana and a 0–0 draw against Benin. He played the full 90 minutes in the round of 16 clash, where Cameroon fell 3–2 to Nigeria, ending their campaign in the knockout stage after four total appearances and one yellow card. Fai featured prominently in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, hosted by Cameroon but held in early 2022, starting in five of Cameroon's six matches across the tournament. He played key roles in the group stage wins over Burkina Faso (2–1) and Ethiopia (4–1), though he received two yellow cards leading to a suspension for the quarter-final. Cameroon reached the semi-finals, losing to Egypt on penalties after a 0–0 draw, before securing third place with a 3–3 draw and 3–1 penalty shootout victory over Burkina Faso.

Other international tournaments and qualifications

Fai played a significant role in Cameroon's qualification efforts for the , featuring in three matches during the 2015–2017 African qualifiers, where his defensive contributions helped the Indomitable Lions advance through the early rounds despite ultimately falling short of qualification. In the qualifiers, Fai appeared in six games, including both legs of the decisive playoff against in March 2022. He started and completed the full 90 minutes in the first leg, a 0–1 home defeat on , anchoring the backline against 's attacks. In the return leg on March 29 in , Fai played the entire 120 minutes and delivered a crucial free-kick in extra time that led to Karl Toko Ekambi's winning header, securing a 2–1 victory and Cameroon's spot at the tournament. At the in , Fai featured in all three of 's group stage matches, starting against (0–1 loss), (3–3 draw), and (1–0 loss), as the team exited in the group stage. Fai did not feature in the qualifiers for the 2023 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN), as Cameroon focused on other senior team priorities during that cycle. For the ongoing campaign, which began in 2023, Fai has been regularly included in the squad under coaches and Marc Brys, making substitute appearances in select matches such as the 1–1 draw against in October 2023 and friendlies leading into 2025 fixtures, though he has not started in the group's early rounds. As of November 2025, Fai has earned 56 caps for across all competitions, with zero international goals to his name.

Career statistics and records

Club statistics

Collins Fai has accumulated over 250 appearances and 4 goals across his club career as of November 2025. His statistics span multiple leagues in , , , , , and , with the majority of his playing time as a right-back in domestic competitions.

Club Appearances by Club

ClubYearsAppearancesGoals
2011–2013180
Dinamo București2013–2016660
2016–20221624
Al-Tai2022–2023340
Radnički 202470
Sloboda 202560
Note: Figures represent total appearances across all competitions unless otherwise specified. During his tenure at Standard Liège, Fai featured in 123 Belgian Pro League matches, 30 cup games, and 9 European competition appearances (primarily qualifiers), accumulating 15 yellow cards and 5 red cards overall at the club. At Al-Tai, his 34 outings were in the , with no goals or cards leading to suspensions recorded. Earlier in his career at Dinamo București, he played 56 matches and 10 games, receiving 13 yellow cards. Limited data exists for his time at and Tuzla, where appearances were confined to domestic leagues without notable disciplinary records.

International statistics

Collins Fai made his senior international debut for on 11 October 2015, in a 3–1 away defeat to during the qualification, where he started and played the full 90 minutes. As of 2025, he has accumulated 53 caps for the Indomitable Lions, all without scoring a goal, reflecting his role as a reliable defensive contributor in various competitions. His most recent appearance was on 11 October 2024, starting in 's 4–1 home win over in the qualification. Fai's international statistics are distributed across major tournaments and qualifiers, showcasing his consistent involvement in Cameroon's campaigns for continental and global events. He has featured prominently in editions and qualifications, as well as preliminaries, with additional outings in friendlies and other competitions like the Confederations Cup and .
CompetitionAppearancesGoals
140
qualification110
qualification (Africa)90
International friendlies130
30
30
Total530

Honours and achievements

Club honours

Collins Fai's club career includes a limited number of honours, primarily from his time with and , where he contributed as a key defender. With , Fai won the Cameroon Elite One championship in the 2011–12 season, securing the title after a strong campaign that ended a 20-year league drought for the club. At Standard Liège, Fai was instrumental in securing two Belgian Cup titles. In the 2015–16 season, he featured for the team that defeated Club Brugge 2–1 in the final on 20 March 2016, earning his first European domestic trophy shortly after joining the club in January. Fai's most notable club achievement came in the 2017–18 Belgian Cup, where he started in the final against Genk on 17 March 2018. Playing the full match, including extra time, he helped Standard Liège secure a 1–0 victory through a goal by Razvan Marin, qualifying the team for the UEFA Europa League and marking Fai's first major individual contribution to a cup triumph. Fai has not won any further club honours with subsequent teams, including Al-Tai, Radnički Niš, or , as of 2025.

International honours

Collins Fai has been a consistent squad member for the national team across multiple editions of the (AFCON), contributing to the Lions Indomptables' campaigns in 2017, 2019, and 2021. His reliability as a right-back has been evident in these tournaments, where he featured prominently in defensive setups during qualification and group stages. Fai was instrumental in Cameroon's triumph at the 2017 AFCON, held in , where the team defeated 2–1 in the final to claim their fifth title. He appeared in five matches, including all group stage games, the quarter-final victory over , and the title-clinching final, earning a for his role in the successful campaign. In the 2019 AFCON, hosted by , Fai played four matches as advanced to the round of 16 before a 3–0 loss to ended their run; no medal was awarded for this placement. Returning for the 2021 AFCON—delayed and hosted by in early 2022—Fai played six matches, providing defensive stability in the home tournament. reached the final but fell 3–0 to ; however, Fai started and played the full 120 minutes in the third-place match, a 3–3 draw won 5–3 on penalties against , securing the . Beyond AFCON, Fai represented at the in , making two appearances in the group stage, though the team exited without advancing or earning further honours. Cameroon did not qualify for the 2018 World Cup or achieve additional major tournament successes during Fai's international tenure.

References

  1. https://www.transfermarkt.us/collins-fai/nationalmannschaft/spieler/250638
  2. https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/collins-fai/
  3. https://www.transfermarkt.us/collins-fai/profil/spieler/250638
  4. https://www.footballdatabase.eu/en/player/details/206318-collins-fai
  5. https://www.facebook.com/100079127334550/posts/cameroons-squad-list-for-the-world-cup-playoff-against-dr-congo-/824064523574451/
  6. https://fbref.com/en/players/46e58246/Collins-Fai
  7. https://www.hilltopvoices.com/2022/02/afcon-2021-nso-fon-names-fai-collins.html
  8. https://www.planetsport.tv/collins-fai
  9. https://www.besoccer.com/player/transfers/c-fai-188988
  10. https://www.transfermarkt.us/collins-fai/transfers/spieler/250638
  11. https://www.transfermarkt.us/collins-fai/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/250638
  12. https://us.soccerway.com/players/collins-fai/300093/
  13. https://www.flashscore.com/player/fai-collins/EimDxUQt/transfers/
  14. https://www.transfermarkt.com/collins-fai/debuets/spieler/250638
  15. https://www.besoccer.com/player/c-fai-188988
  16. https://www.footballcritic.com/collins-fai/career-stats/30803
  17. https://www.transfermarkt.us/collins-fai/leistungsdaten/spieler/250638
  18. https://www.camerounweb.com/CameroonHomePage/SportsArchive/Collins-Fai-earns-first-Cameroon-call-up-331801
  19. https://www.transfermarkt.com/spielbericht/index/spielbericht/2632047
  20. https://www.transfermarkt.com/collins-fai/nationalmannschaft/spieler/250638
  21. https://www.espn.com/soccer/team/squad/_/id/656/league/CAF.NATIONS/season/2017
  22. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/feb/05/africa-cup-nations-final-cameroon-egypt
  23. https://www.espn.com/soccer/team/squad/_/id/656/league/CAF.NATIONS/season/2019
  24. https://www.espn.com/soccer/team/squad/_/id/656/league/CAF.NATIONS/season/2021
  25. https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/collins-fai/wm-quali-afrika/4/
  26. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/629219/algeria-cameroon
  27. https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/africa/60918387
  28. https://www.facebook.com/100077208572479/posts/collins-fai-has-been-a-valuable-player-for-the-cameroon-national-team-also-known/805452675371678/
  29. https://www.playmakerstats.com/player/collins-fai/363077
  30. https://www.transfermarkt.com/collins-fai/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/250638
  31. https://www.playmakerstats.com/player/collins-fai/363077/results?competicao_id=30&edicao_id=132894&epoca_id=154
  32. https://www.betstudy.com/soccer-stats/c/cameroon/elite-one/d/champions/
  33. https://www.transfermarkt.us/collins-fai/erfolge/spieler/250638
  34. https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/collins-fai/afrika-cup-2017-gabun/kamerun-team/3/
  35. https://www.transfermarkt.com/collins-fai/erfolge/spieler/250638
  36. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/60186277
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