On 8 June 1990 the World Cup opened at San Siro in Milan. On one side, Argentina, the defending champions, led by Diego Maradona. On the other, Cameroon, whom most people outside Africa had barely heard of.
Nobody gave the Indomitable Lions a chance. They did not seem to have been told. They double-marked Maradona and kicked him often enough to leave him bruised.
In the 67th minute François Omam-Biyik rose to head a cross towards goal. The ball went through the hands of the Argentine goalkeeper, Nery Pumpido, and into the net. Cameroon had two players sent off after that and finished with nine men. They held on. Cameroon 1, Argentina 0.
What did Cameroon's win change for African football?
A great deal. This was the moment African football announced itself to the rest of the world, in the opening match, against the holders, with nine men on the pitch at the end.
And the tournament was only beginning for them. Cameroon went on to reach the quarter-finals, the first African team ever to get that far. Roger Milla, coming off the bench, became the breakout star of the whole World Cup.
Why it ranks at number 16
- the opponents: defending champions, with Maradona in the side
- the occasion: the opening match of the tournament
- the circumstances: two red cards and nine men at the final whistle
- the aftermath: a first African quarter-final
The win opened the door to the modern era of African football and inspired a generation of players on the continent. For Africa it remains a source of real pride.
Tomorrow: number 15.
