Che Malone Fondoh Junior (born 16 September 1999) is a Cameroonian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Ligue 1 club USM Alger and the Cameroon national team.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Che Malone Fondoh Junior | ||
| Date of birth | 23 May 1999 | ||
| Place of birth | Bafut, Cameroon | ||
| Height | 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||
| Position | Centre-back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | USM Alger | ||
| Number | 4 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2021–2023 | Coton Sport | 0 | (0) |
| 2023–2025 | Simba | 0 | (0) |
| 2025– | USM Alger | 12 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2022– | Cameroon | 8 | (0) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 27 February 2026 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 27 March 2026 | |||
Career
editChe Malone was born in Bafut, where he developed his passion for football under the care of his grandmother. Malone took part in university and school competitions before joining Union Sportif in Douala. He later moved to Cotonsport Garoua, one of the most prominent clubs in Cameroon. Malone joined Coton Sport and won the MTN Elite One championship twice with the club. His performances established him as one of the most promising defenders in the domestic league. In July 2023, he transferred to Simba in Tanzania for a reported fee of around 78 million CFA francs (≈ US$130,000), making him one of the most expensive defenders to leave Coton Sport in the past decade. Since joining Simba, Malone became a regular starter and wore the number 20 shirt.[1]
USM Alger
editOn 9 December 2025, Che Malone officially signed a two-year contract with USM Alger. Malone had arrived in Algiers a week earlier, where he was welcomed at the airport by his compatriot and former USM Alger defender, Daniel Moncharé. After successfully completing his medical examination, negotiations continued in order to settle the final details of the deal. USM Alger reached an agreement with Simba, the Tanzanian club to which he was still contracted, for a transfer fee estimated at €200,000. Simba also secured a 15% sell-on clause for any future transfer of the player. Malone agreed to a monthly salary of €10,000 as part of his contract with the Algerian club.[2][3]
During his first season with USM Alger, Malone established himself as one of the team’s key players thanks to his performances in domestic and continental competitions. His strong displays earned him a call-up to the Cameroon national team squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.[4] At the end of the season, Malone won his first title with the club after defeated CR Belouizdad in the 2025–26 Algerian Cup, although he featured as a substitute in the final for tactical reasons.[5]
International career
editI was very surprised when I was told that I would start. But it was also one of my personal goals. I did not come here just to accompany the others, but to work hard and earn my place. When the opportunity came, I wanted to show the best version of myself. I come from a humble background, but I never gave up. Hard work, discipline, and faith brought me this far. Discipline has always been the key. Without it, I would never have reached this level. But this is not the end goal it is only the beginning of a new story.
Che Malone has been called up urgently to replace Jean-Charles Castelletto ahead of AFCON, regarded as a reward for his strong performances with USM Alger. The Cameroonian defender, known to be consistent and reliable in recent weeks, will join the Lions for their preparation camp in Morocco. This call-up confirms his rapid rise and growing importance in his position. For Che Malone, it is a major opportunity to shine on the continental stage.[4]
Che Malone impressed from his very first appearances at the Africa Cup of Nations against the Gabon and later versus the Ivory Coast. Inspired by Nicolas Nkoulou and Rigobert Song, Malone embodies the discipline, resilience, and ambition of a new Cameroonian generation determined to bring the continental title back home.[6]
Career statistics
editClub
edit- As of 7 May 2026[7]
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Coton Sport | 2021–22 | Elite One | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
| 2022–23 | — | — | 6[a] | 0 | — | 6 | 0 | |||||
| Total | — | — | 6 | 0 | — | 6 | 0 | |||||
| Simba | 2023–24 | NBC Premier League | — | — | 8[a] | 0 | — | 8 | 0 | |||
| 2024–25 | — | — | 9[b] | 0 | — | 9 | 0 | |||||
| Total | — | — | 17 | 0 | — | 17 | 0 | |||||
| USM Alger | 2025–26 | Ligue 1 | 12 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 12[b] | 1 | 1[c] | 0 | 30 | 1 |
| Career total | 12 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 29 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 47 | 1 | ||
- 1 2 All appearance(s) in Champions League
- 1 2 All appearance(s) in CAF Confederation Cup
- ↑ Appearance in Algerian Super Cup
International
edit- As of match played 27 March 2026
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cameroon | 2022 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2025 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2026 | 3 | 0 | |
| Total | 8 | 0 | |
Honours
editCoton Sport
USM Alger
References
edit- ↑ "Mercato : Che Malone se rapproche de Simba SC". Allez les Lions. 1 July 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
- ↑ "USMA: Che Malone s'engage pour deux ans". Competition. 30 July 2025. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
- ↑ "USMA : Le Camerounais Che Malone engagé pour 2 ans". Sport 24. 30 July 2025. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
- 1 2 "Che Malone participera à la CAN avec le Cameroun". Planete Sport. 9 December 2025. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
- 1 2 "Coupe d'Algérie (Finale) : l'USMA fait tomber le CRB et décroche la Décima". competition.dz. 30 April 2026. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
- 1 2 "Che Malone Fondo : écrire son chapitre avec les Lions Indomptables". CAF. 3 January 2026. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
- ↑ "Che Malone". Soccerway.
- ↑ "Zamalek 1 – USMA 0 (victoire de l'USMA aux tab 7- 8): l'USMA sur le toit de l'Afrique". competition.dz. 16 May 2026. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
External links
edit- Che Malone at Soccerway