Former Indomitable Lion Emmanuel Kunde Dies

Emmanuel Kunde, a key player in Cameroon's historic 1990 World Cup team, has passed away. Read more about his legacy.

Emmanuel Kunde, a legendary Cameroonian footballer, has passed away at the age of 68. Kunde was a key figure in Cameroon's historic run to the quarterfinals of the 1990 World Cup, a first for an African team.

He also represented Cameroon at the 1982 World Cup in Spain, marking the country's debut appearance in the tournament. Additionally, Kunde was part of the Indomitable Lions team that won the Africa Cup of Nations in both 1984 and 1988.

#RIP Emmanuel Kunde [1956-2025]
Cameroonian defender who mainly played in his native country. He played abroad in Laval and Reims.
102 caps for the national team. Played in two WCs and winner of two ACN titles. pic.twitter.com/YfqWeNipUF

— Stickerpedia (@Stickerpedia1) May 16, 2025

Emmanuel Kunde left an indelible mark on Cameroonian football, notably scoring the decisive penalty in the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations final against Nigeria and converting another in the 1990 World Cup quarterfinal loss to England. The Cameroonian football federation described his death as “a huge loss for Cameroonian football.”