Tottenham Hotspur supporters had probably forgotten all about Clinton N’Jie.
And for good reason.
The Mauricio Pochettino signing at Tottenham only wound up making eight Premier League appearances throughout a two-year spell on the Lilywhites’ books.
However, any Spurs fan who watched the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final last night would’ve been reminded about the 28-year-old.
And this time, not for a good reason.
Penalty miss ‘horrific’
N’Jie represented Cameroon – the host nation – in Thursday’s semi-final against Mohamed Salah’s Egypt.
The Egyptians booked their spot in the final via a penalty shootout and it was the former Tottenham attacker whose miss from 12 yards secured the opposition’s progress.
N’Jie, who now plays for Dynamo Moscow, opted for a very short run-up and then floated a side-footed effort wide of the post.
Here’s what Jon Salako said on Sky Sports about the former Lilywhites winger.
“It’s embarrassing. Embarrassing. It’s a two-step run-up and he puts it wide. I told you – he looked like a rabbit in the headlights. Didn’t know what he was going to do. That was horrific and unfortunately the hosts are out.”
Many of Pochettino’s early signings in North London proved to be inspired additions.
But N’Jie, who joined Tottenham in the same transfer window as Kieran Trippier, Son Heung-min and Toby Alderweireld, clearly wasn’t anywhere near good enough for the Lilywhites.
He has still fashioned a decent career for himself, however, but his confidence will be shot to pieces after Thursday’s penalty miss.
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