This community of some several hundred inhabitants situated about 30 kilometres east of the capital, Yaounde, is finding it hard to come to terms with Foe's sudden death last Thursday while playing for his country in the Confederations Cup tournament in France.

"We're heartbroken, totally heartbroken," said Marguerite Mengue, the second wife of the footballer's grandfather, Marc Foe.

Of all the dozens of houses that make up this small community Marc Foe's house stands out as the most imposing - he is clearly the elder statesman around these parts.

And his grandson's sporting prowess for sure added to his status among his fellow villagers - Foe's club career with Lyon in France and latterly at Manchester City in England clearly brought prosperity to his family and the village.

Foe senior's vast living room is full of furniture of a certain quality; on the walls hang a portrait of Cameroon president Paul Biya and a photograph of 'Marco' playing for the 'Indomitable Lions' in a friendly against France in 2000.

In the middle of the room stands a large television set on which Foe's family watched in horror his 72nd minute collapse in the semi-final against Colombia at Lyon's Stade Gerland.

"We saw the game last Thursday on the television," recalled Marguerite Mengue, tears streaming down her face.

Marc-Viven's great-uncle, Lambert Nkono, remembers Foe's generosity.

Pointing to the cable bringing electricity to his modest abode he said: "There's one example of something that Marc-Vivien did for us - he arranged to bring in electricity."

Speaking with difficulty Nkono added: "There were six houses needing electricity. Only five were connected and the last one I suppose will never be done now."

Retired prison officer Lucien Ngoumou said: "Everyone's had experience of his kindness, even if he didn't always have the time to visit."

Ngoumou was referring to the public water well paid for by Foe.

The villagers felt Foe's rightful resting place should be at his birthplace rather than in Yaounde.

And for a number of days the heavy machinery levelling out the three kilometre strip of land that separates the village from the passing tarmac road led them to believe that Foe's body would be coming home.

But on Wednesday they were informed that the player was to be buried on Monday in the capital and not in Nkolmeyang 1.

"From the news reaching us we understand Marc-Vivien no longer belongs to us, but to Cameroon and the entire world," said Ngoumou.