Japhet N'Doram (; born 27 February 1966) is a Chadian former professional footballer who played as a striker.
His 14-year senior career was mainly spent with Nantes, which he represented in several capacities. He was nicknamed The Wizard.
Born in N'Djamena, N'Doram begun his career with local Tourbillon FC, then spent three seasons in Cameroon with Tonnerre Yaoundé, one of the biggest clubs in Africa. In 1990 the 24-year-old signed for FC Nantes in France, scoring two goals in 19 games in his first season in Ligue 1; his first professional contract arrived as Argentine Jorge Burruchaga was recovering from injury and accepted to be given an amateur licence on behalf of his teammate.
N'Doram became something of a cult hero at Stade de la Beaujoire, scoring important goals as the club's 2000th in the top division, through a penalty against Lille OSC (1âÂÂ0 win) or the second in a 3âÂÂ2 home triumph against Juventus FC in the 1995âÂÂ96 UEFA Champions League semi-finals (3âÂÂ4 aggregate loss). In 1994âÂÂ95, he netted 12 goals as Les Canaris won their seventh national championship â the first in 12 years â bettering to a career-best 21 in the 1996âÂÂ97 campaign (second-best in the competition).
Aged 31, N'Doram left Nantes and signed for fellow league side AS Monaco FC, winning the 1997 Trophée des Champions, but retired at the end of the season following a persistent injury sustained during a match against his former team. He then joined his last club's technical staff, working as a scout.
N'Doram returned to Nantes on 28 June 2005, replacing Robert Budzynski as director of football. In February 2007 he was appointed team manager, leaving his post in July as the season ended in relegation.
N'Doram holds Chadian and French nationalities. His son, Kévin, is also a footballer. He played for Monaco.
Nantes Atlantique
AS Monaco
Individual