Emmanuel Kunde dead at 68: Samuel Eto'o leads tributes as Cameroon World Cup star, who scored against England at Italia 90, passes away
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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Can Le Court make women's Tour history for Africa?
When Kim le Court pedals up to the Tour de France Femmes start line, the cyclist knows she will represent not just her team but the whole of hailing from the tiny island nation of Mauritius, the chance to race alongside the world's elite once seemed a distant dream."I came to Europe in 2015-16 and it was honestly extremely hard for me. My team-mates now still laugh about my results back then," the 29-year-old told BBC Sport Africa."I just came last every day and was just surviving those races. I was hating it."When I speak to young female cyclists now, I tell them that I come from a small island in the middle of nowhere that for a long time no-one had really heard of, and I made it. And if I made it, they can too."Le Court describes that first stint in Europe when still a teenager as "a shock to the system", with both support structures and financial challenges contributing to her returned to the continent, basing herself in South Africa, and it has been a long journey since those early well as rediscovering her form in Africa, Le Court also recorded victories in mountain bike races. After discussions with her now-husband Ian Pienaar, she decided to give road racing in Europe another go."I'm super hungry for more and for new beginnings," she said."It didn't work out for me in 2015, 2016, but he (Ian) always knew that I've always wanted to belong there. And of course, the growth of woman's cycling since I was there [until] now has been huge."She secured a contract with the AG Insurance–Soudal team for 2024 but, after overcoming a wrist injury, top-level success has only really arrived in the past twelve months. Tackling the 'next level' Tour In July last year - almost 10 years since her debut as a professional – Le Court recorded her biggest win when a gruelling sprint finish on the final stage of the Giro d'Italia saw her become Africa's first female rider to win a stage on one of cycling's Grand April she hit the headlines once more, triumphing at the Liege-Bastogne-Liege race, again becoming the first African woman to do so."It was extremely special," she said."I'm still quite taken back on what I have achieved for me personally, as a rider but also for my country, the continent I'm from and especially my team."Now comes her second attempt at the Tour de France, which starts in the historic walled town of Vannes in Brittany, north-west France, on to nine stages for its fourth edition, the chance to compete for the famous yellow jersey alongside over 150 other riders is a tantalising prospect."The Tour de France is just next level compared to all the other races," Le Court explained."The media attention, the crowds, the pressure, it is three or four times more intense!"It is hard to explain unless you have been there, physically, to experience it. But at the same time it is a race that brings out the best in everyone."There are definitely a few stages that I have in mind which fit my profile."Le Court is well aware of the importance of staying healthy at these long, multi-stage races, especially after several female riders had to pull out of this year's Giro d'Italia because of illness."There is no hiding at the Tour de France, which is something I personally really like."It shows what your work ethic as a rider really is."It is the dream race for all professional men and women cyclists. They all want to be there, they all want to win a stage."Even just making the team selection is a big achievement." A 'true hope' for Africa Eritrean rider Biniam Girmay has broken barriers in men's cycling with his landmark victories at the Giro and the Tour de France, and Le Court believes that a historic Tour stage win for her over the next two weeks would also have a significant impact on the ranked in the top 20 female riders in the world, she has been hailed as "more than an athlete" by the next generation."For me, Kim le Court is a true hope for Africa," Georgette Vignonfodo, an 18-year-old cyclist from Benin, told BBC Sport Africa."She embodies courage, perseverance and pure talent."She represents an example to follow, a source of inspiration for all those who dream big despite obstacles."In Ethiopia, fellow teenager Tsige Kahsay is also keenly watching Le Court's progress."It makes me so happy when I see Africans race and win on the world stage on TV," the rapidly rising 18-year-old said."When I see Kim, Ashleigh [Moolman-Pasio] and Biniam from Africa there, it is so motivational."My dream is now to be the first Black African queen of cycling, and one day race at the Tour de France."Kahsay and Vignonfodo are part of the Africa 2025 project run by the UCI, cycling's world governing body, which aims to help talent from the continent access the best training and development ahead of the Road World Championships, which take place on African soil for the first time in September in like Le Court are the inspiration for these youngsters, and securing a slice of history at the Tour could prove a defining moment in the growth of African cycling.
Reuters
5 hours ago
- Reuters
S Africa select young guns Brevis, Pretorius for Australia tour
July 24 (Reuters) - Batters Dewald Brevis and Lhuan-dre Pretorius have been included in South Africa's Twenty20 and One Day International squads for their white ball tour of Australia next month, as off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen earns a maiden limited overs call-up. South Africa play their hosts in three T20 matches between August 10-16 before a three-game ODI series from August 19-24. Subrayen, 31, recently made his test debut in Zimbabwe, as did Brevis, 22, and Pretorius, 19. All three players have been included in both limited overs squads. Having rested several regulars for the tri-series tournament in Zimbabwe this month that also includes New Zealand, South Africa have recalled Aiden Markram, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs. Key all-rounder Marco Jansen misses out on the tour through injury. Markram will captain the T20 side, and Temba Bavuma will lead the ODI team. South Africa T20 squad: Aiden Markram (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen and Rassie van der Dussen. South Africa ODI squad: Temba Bavuma (captain), Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Senuran Muthusamy, Keshav Maharaj, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs and Prenelan Subrayen.
The Guardian
8 hours ago
- The Guardian
Cameroon head coach claims email was hacked, denies he has resigned
Marc Brys has denied he has quit as coach of Cameroon despite the country's football federation confirming his exit on Wednesday, as the Belgian said his email was likely hacked and his alleged resignation letter did not come from him. It is the latest twist in a long-running battle between Brys and the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot) since his appointment by the country's sports ministry in April 2024. A letter dated 21 July, supposedly from Brys to the sports ministry and FECAFOOT, said he had made the decision to terminate his contract 'due to the non-payment of my remuneration and that of my staff for more than 60 days.' When the letter came into the public domain on Wednesday, FECAFOOT said in a statement they had noted the resignation and would 'implement a coordinated response to mitigate the impact of this vacancy at the head of the national team's technical staff.' However, Brys later said in a letter to the sports ministry that his email had likely been hacked, and that he had not resigned. Cameroon's sports ministry confirmed that Brys remained in his role. FECAFOOT has not responded to the coach's denial. It comes five months before the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco and with Cameroon's qualification for the 2026 World Cup undecided. Brys has had a testy relationship with FECAFOOT president Samuel Eto'o since taking the job last year, but his position is funded by the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education. Cameroon have been drawn in a group with defending champions Ivory Coast, Gabon and Mozambique at the December 21-January 18 finals of the AFCON. They are now second in their qualifying pool for next year's World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, a point behind Cape Verde with four rounds remaining. Only the top team automatically earns their place at the finals, with Cameroon set for a crunch tie away against Cape Verde in September. The qualification campaign will conclude in October.
