Francis Nganga (29 years old) did not have to travel far to find his new club. The former captain and center of AS Cannes has signed with Nice Volley Ball. A look back at his career, his goals, and his profession as a podiatrist.
Can you tell us about your journey in volleyball?
I started playing volleyball in Rennes at about 14 years old, before being noticed by the coach of a club in the suburbs of Rennes (Chantepie). Everything happened pretty quickly after that. Departmental selection, then regional, then national (France cadet and junior teams), Pôle Espoirs in Lyon, then CNVB (National Volleyball Center) in Montpellier.
At the end of the CNVB, I signed my first professional contract at 18 years old in Rennes, a club where I stayed for 6 seasons. Then I went to Saint-Brieuc for one season, to Narbonne for another season, and finally to Cannes for three seasons. So I have been in the circuit for quite a while, even though I have “only” just celebrated my 29th birthday.
What motivated your move to Nice? Your “love” for the Côte d’Azur?
Nice is a club I got to know first as an opponent. With Cannes, we often met in competitions or training matches, due to the proximity of the two cities. But even as a young player, this club and this region attracted me. I even thought that it would be nice to be able to play in this club, in this beautiful region, especially as many excellent players have passed through Nice. And destiny has brought me here.
What will be your personal goals this season with NVB?
Personally, my goal is simple: to give my best at every moment. I place great importance on the group, so I will do everything to bring all my qualities to the team. Especially since Ligue B will be very, very competitive this year, even more so, I think, than in previous years.
After that, I haven’t talked much with the coach Mladen Kasic or Alain Griguer, the President, but the goal will be to qualify for the playoffs and thus have a chance to move up to Ligue A.
Are you still able to balance your sport with your profession as a podiatrist?
Yes, I am lucky to work as a freelancer, which allows me to arrange my schedule as I wish, depending on training sessions, matches, recovery times, treatments, etc. It makes for long days! But with organization, and especially a good lifestyle, both activities are perfectly compatible.
