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Associated Press
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Cameroon soccer great Emmanuel Kundé dies at age 68
YAOUNDE, Cameroon (AP) — Emmanuel Kundé, Cameroon's defensive anchor on the first African team to reach the quarterfinals of the World Cup, has died, the country's soccer federation said. He was 68. Kundé scored a penalty against England in the last eight of the 1990 World Cup in Italy before the Indomitable Lions lost in extra time. He also played at the 1982 World Cup when Cameroon made its tournament debut. 'His death is a huge loss for Cameroonian soccer,' the country's football federation said in a statement late Friday. Federation president Samuel Eto'o hailed Kundé as the 'control tower' and 'defensive wall' on the field. Kundé twice helped the team win the Africa Cup of Nations — in 1984 and 1988. His second-half penalty was the difference in Cameroon's 1-0 victory over Nigeria in the '88 final in Casablanca. He made over 100 appearances for the national team. 'He was an intelligent and peaceful man filled with dignity and had a precise magic foot,' Emmanuel Maboang Kessack, a former team member told The Associated Press. 'We will never forget him.' Kundé died of cardiac arrest in his own home, Maboang Kessack said. Kundé also played club football in France for Reims and Laval, but his main team was Canon de Yaoundé in Cameroon's capital. ___ AP soccer:
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Samuel Eto'o pays tribute to late Cameroonian football legend Emmanuel Kunde
Emmanuel Kunde (via Getty Images) Emmanuel Kunde , the steely midfielder who powered Cameroon to two Africa Cup of Nations crowns and a historic 1990 FIFA World Cup quarter-final, has died at the age of 68. Samuel Eto'o, president of the Cameroon Football Federation and the country's most celebrated modern striker, opened a flood of tributes on Friday after learning about his death as the football world grieves the passing away of a legendary player. Samuel Eto'o remembers Emmanuel Kunde as a 'discreet and affectionate man' When news of his death came out, Cameroonian football administrator and former player Samuel Eto'o called Emmanuel Kunde a 'discreet and affectionate man'. 'He was a fantastic footballer, the control tower in the midfield, the defensive wall the opponent crashed into, but also a great playmaker when the team had possession,' Eto'o reminisced. 'His death constitutes a huge loss for Cameroonian football,' said a federation statement, according to Reuters. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like They Lost Their Money - Learn From Their Lesson Expertinspector Click Here Undo Emmanuel Kunde's legacy stretches across World Cup history and Africa Cup of Nations triumph Emmanuel Kunde initially imprinted his dominance on the international scene at the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain, holding down an Indomitable Lions team that went out unbeaten but unbeaten, drawing with Peru, Poland, and eventual winners Italy. Eight years on, in the blistering desert sun of Italia '90, the then-33-year-old produced the moment that eternally joined his name with Cameroonian legend. England had a 1-0 lead in the quarter-final when Emmanuel Kunde emerged from the wings to fire a penalty past Peter Shilton and ignite one of the tournament's most electric atmospheres. Though Gary Lineker's double ultimately pushed Bobby Robson's side through, Cameroon's marathon—the first by an African country to make it to a World Cup quarter-final—changed the perception of African football overnight. (Relive the match: FIFA classic highlights) Back home, the veteran Canon Yaoundé pillar was already a legend. Emmanuel Kunde had led Cameroon to Africa Cup of Nations victories in 1984 and 1988, scoring the winning kick in the latter final against Nigeria within Casablanca's Stade Mohamed V. His combination of positional restraint and unforced distribution had earned him the nickname "La Tour de Contrôle"—the control tower. Also read: Official: FIFA lifts ban on Congo Republic's football federation Emmanuel Kunde's death cuts one of the last remaining bonds to Cameroon's golden age, but his spirit lives on wherever a young Lion takes a spot-kick under pressure. As tributes resound from Douala to Doha, his life serves as a reminder to the footballing world that greatness is not inscribed by medals alone but by bravery under floodlights and modesty in triumph. The control tower is silent, but its beacon will pilot African football for decades ahead. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Emmanuel Kunde dead at 68: Samuel Eto'o leads tributes as Cameroon World Cup star, who scored against England at Italia 90, passes away
Samuel Eto'o has led tributes following the death of former Cameroon star Emmanuel Kunde at the age of 68. Kunde was part of Cameroon's squad at two FIFA World Cups, featuring at the tournaments in Spain in 1982 and Italy in 1990. The midfielder scored Cameroon's equalising goal against England from the penalty spot in the quarter-finals of Italia 90. Eugene Ekeke put Cameroon ahead in the second half, before a penalty from Gary Lineker forced extra time. Lineker scored again from the spot in extra time to eliminate Cameroon, who were the first African nation to reach the quarter-finals at the World Cup. Kunde had also played a key role for Cameroon in two triumphs at the African Cup of Nations in 1984 and 1988. The midfielder scored the only goal of the 1988 final against Nigeria, netting from the penalty spot. Cameroon legend Eto'o, who now leads the national federation, offered a glowing tribute to Kunde on social media. 'I'm just learning of the demise of the Elder Emmanuel Jérôme Kundé, an iconic figure in Cameroonian football, who died at the age of 68,' Eto'o wrote. 'Oh the sadness! It is a certain value of our heritage that is thus cruelly taken away from us. 'I keep with him the memory of a discreet and affectionate man, a figure of moderation and consideration. 'He was a fantastic footballer, the control tower in the midfield, the defensive wall the opponent crashed into but also a great playmaker when the team had possession. 'Individually, it was a fine passer and a gun with phenomenal power and goldsmith precision. 'In fifteen years as a national team (127 selections), he took part in the two legendary epics of the Indomitable Lions in the World Cup (1982 and 1990), twice winner of the CAN (1984 and 1988).' 'Praying for the great football family to keep him in your thoughts and my deepest condolences to his family.' Kunde is best remembered for his international career having played 102 times for the Indomitable Lions, scoring 17 times. He spent much of his club career in Cameroon, but had two years playing in France for Laval and Reims.
The Hindu
16-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Emmanuel Kunde, linchpin of Cameroon's 1990 World Cup team, dies aged 68
Emmanuel Kunde, a mainstay of the 1990 Cameroon side that became the first African team to reach the World Cup quarterfinals, has died, the country's football federation said on Friday. Kunde, 68, also played at the 1982 World Cup in Spain, where Cameroon made its debut and was in the winning team when the Indomitable Lions won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1984 and 1988. He took the penalty that decided the 1988 Cup of Nations final against Nigeria in Casablanca and also scored from the spot in the dramatic 3-2 loss to England in Naples in the last eight of the 1990 World Cup. 'His death constitutes a huge loss for Cameroonian football,' said a federation statement. Related Topics Emmanuel Kunde / Cameroon
Scottish Sun
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Emmanuel Kunde dead at 68: Pioneering World Cup icon who scored against England at Italia '90 passes away
A former Chelsea star has paid an emotional tribute REST IN PEACE Emmanuel Kunde dead at 68: Pioneering World Cup icon who scored against England at Italia '90 passes away EMMANUEL KUNDE has tragically died at the age of 68. The former footballer is best remembered for scoring against England in the 1990 World Cup. 4 Emmanuel Kunde has sadly died Credit: Rex 4 He scored against England in the 1990 World Cup quarter-finals Credit: PA 4 Kunde jostled with Paul Gascoigne for the ball Credit: PA 4 Samuel Eto'o has paid tribute to the Cameroonian Credit: AP His death was confirmed by the Cameroonian football federation. A statement read: "His death constitutes a huge loss for Cameroonian football." His most famous career moment came when he netted the winning penalty in the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations final against Nigeria. He also won the continental cup four years earlier and came on as a late substitute in the 3-1 win over Nigeria again in the final. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL THERE'S THE WREX-IT Wrexham confirm 8 players leaving after promotion to Championship He also scored a penalty against England in the 3-2 defeat in the quarter-finals of Italia '90. Former Chelsea and Everton striker has shared an emotional tribute to Kunde on Instagram. He wrote: "I'm just learning of the demise of the Elder Emmanuel Jérôme Kundé, an iconic figure in Cameroonian football, who died at the age of 68. "Oh the sadness! It is a certain value of our heritage that is thus cruelly taken away from us. "I keep with him the memory of a discreet and affectionate man, a figure of moderation and consideration. "He was a fantastic footballer, the control tower in the midfield, the defensive wall the opponent crashed into but also a great playmaker when the team had possession. "Individually, it was a fine passer and an artifact with phenomenal power and goldsmith precision. "In fifteen years as a national team (127 selections), he took part in the two legendary epics of the Indomitable Lions in the World Cup (1982 and 1990), twice winner of the CAN (1984 and 1988). "His long career brought him to France (Laval, Reims) and Gabon (US Bitam) as a coach, even though it is in the Canon sportif de Yaoundé that his name and legend will remain associated forever, as a player and as a coach. "Praying for the great football family to keep him in your thoughts and my deepest condolences to his nuclear family." Kunde started his playing career at the Mbankomo Club in Cameroon. He then played for the likes of Tempête de Nanga-Eboko and Canon Yaounde before joining French sides Laval and Reims. He retired in 1992, back in Cameroon after two years with Olympic Mvolye. In total, he played 102 times for Cameroon's national team between 1979 and 1992 and scored 17 goals.
