Emmanuel Kundé, a legendary figure in Cameroonian soccer, died at 68, the country’s football federation announced Friday.
Kundé was the defensive anchor of the first African team to reach the World Cup quarterfinals in 1990.
He famously scored a penalty against England in that tournament’s last eight before Cameroon fell in extra time.
His World Cup journey began in 1982, when Cameroon made its tournament debut on the global stage.
The football federation called Kundé’s death a “huge loss” to Cameroonian soccer, mourning a national icon.
Federation president Samuel Eto’o described Kundé as the “control tower” and “defensive wall” on the field.
Kundé helped Cameroon claim the Africa Cup of Nations twice—in 1984 and 1988—highlighting his clutch penalty in the ’88 final.
His second-half penalty secured a 1-0 win over Nigeria in Casablanca, cementing his legacy as a game-changer.
He earned more than 100 caps for the national team, becoming a pillar of Cameroonian football.
Former teammate Emmanuel Maboang Kessack praised Kundé as “intelligent and peaceful,” with a “precise magic foot.”
Kundé passed away from cardiac arrest at his home, Maboang Kessack confirmed to The Associated Press.
While Kundé played club football in France for Reims and Laval, Canon de Yaoundé remained his true home team.
His impact on and off the pitch leaves a lasting imprint on African football history and Cameroon’s proud sporting heritage.
