Emmanuel Kundé, a former Cameroon national team defender who played a key role in the Indomitable Lions’ historic run to the quarterfinals of the 1990 World Cup, has died. He was 68.
Kundé died of cardiac arrest at his home, former teammate Emmanuel Maboang Kessack told The Associated Press.
The Cameroon Football Federation confirmed his death late Friday, calling it “a huge loss for Cameroonian soccer.” Federation president and former international striker Samuel Eto’o paid tribute, describing Kundé as the national team’s “control tower” and “defensive wall.”
Kundé was a standout performer during Cameroon’s breakthrough performance at the 1990 World Cup in Italy, where he scored a second-half penalty in the quarterfinal against England. Although Cameroon ultimately lost 3-2 in extra time, the team became the first African nation to reach the last eight of the tournament.
He also represented Cameroon in the 1982 World Cup, the country’s first appearance in the tournament.
Kundé won two Africa Cup of Nations titles with Cameroon, in 1984 and 1988. His penalty secured a 1-0 victory over Nigeria in the 1988 final in Casablanca, Morocco.
He earned more than 100 caps for the national team and was known for his composure, intelligence and skill on the ball.
“He was an intelligent and peaceful man filled with dignity and had a precise magic foot,” said Maboang Kessack. “We will never forget him.”
Kundé played club soccer in France with Stade de Reims and Laval, but spent most of his club career with Canon Yaoundé, one of Cameroon’s most prominent teams.