Memorable moments
Africa’s maiden triumph
Nobody gave Tunisia, who didn’t even qualify for the 1976 AFCON, a shot at seizing Africa’s solitary place at Argentina 1978. When The Eagles of Carthage stunned the likes of Morocco, Algeria, Nigeria and Egypt to claim that spot, however, they were determined to make the most of their opportunity. Trailing to Mexico in their opener, goals from unlikely sources – centre-back Ali Kaabi, defensive midfielder Nejib Ghommidh and right-back Mokhtar Dhouieb – snatched Tunisia a 3-1 success and Africa’s first-ever World Cup victory.
A green day in Gijon
“We will dedicate our seventh goal to our wives and the eighth to our dogs,” said one West Germany player before their Group 2 opener at Spain 1982. Those WAGs and Dobermanns had no place in an Algerian fairy tale. Les Verts’ devastating one-touch football harrowed Paul Breitner, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Co from the outset, and goals from Lakhdar Belloumi and Rabah Madjer completed a seismic 2-1 upset.
When Roger met Rene
Cameroon stunned defending champions Argentina 1-0 in USA 1994’s curtain-raiser en route to reaching the Round of 16, where they encountered Colombia. The intriguing clash would ultimately belong to substitute Roger Milla, who had been coaxed out of retirement for the tournament. The 38-year-old netted a fine opener and an iconic second, famously robbing goalkeeper Rene Higuita of possession before slotting it into an empty net, to secure the Indomitable Lions a 2-1 win that made them the first Africans to reach the World Cup quarter-finals.
The Super Eagles’ grand entrance
“That was like watching the great Brazilian sides,” said John
Fashanu after Nigeria’s World Cup debut: a 3-0 win over Bulgaria. The former England striker may have been biased given his Nigerian descendancy, but that 90-minute exhibition at the Cotton Bowl nonetheless wowed the world. Finidi George, Emmanuel Amunike, Daniel Amokachi and Rashidi Yekini blended individual magic with indecipherable teamwork in a demolition of an iconic, Hristo Stoichkov-led team who went on to reach the USA 1994 semi-finals. The Super Eagles were eliminated in an extra-time loss to Italy in the Round of 16, but their thrilling campaign continues to be remembered.
Senegal shake Seoul
France landed in the Far East being championed as a meliorated model of the side that claimed the trophy in 1998, with Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry and David Trezeguet having evolved into some the best players in the world in their positions. In a volcanic, 16-1 upset, however, they were stunned in Korea/Japan 2002’s opening match by tournament debutants Senegal, whose squad comprised players based in the French lower leagues and Africa. El Hadji Diouf terrorised Les Bleus throughout, while Papa Bouba Diop got the only goal as the Lions of Teranga won 1-0 in probably the greatest openingmatch upset in World Cup history. Bruno Metsu’s men went on to become the second African side to reach the quarter-finals.
It’s time for Africa
South Africa, afforded Pot 1 status as hosts, went into the final draw for the 2010 finals hopeful of being given a shot at making a nation proud. When Mexico, Uruguay and France were made their company in Group A, the consensus was that they’d be whipping boys. After a pulsating yet goalless first half against El Tri in their opener, however, Siphiwe Tshabalala produced a sensational strike to spark hysteric scenes at Soccer City.