With less than 50 days until the start of the World Cup in Brazil, Soccer Laduma takes a look at our Top 50 World Cup moments – today number 29: Cameroon Upsets Argentina in 1990.
This memorable game has been described perfectly by one of our readers in the Mageu Number 1 feature in this week's Soccer Laduma. Mr Molupe Molotsana Letsela, sir, the stage is your's:
"My best World Cup moment has to be when defending champions, Argentina, led by the legendary Diego Maradona, faced Cameroon in the inaugural match of 1990 World Cup in Italy.
Overwhelming favourites, Argentina were confident of opening the World Cup with an easy victory, but the "Indomitable Lions" thought otherwise.
Cameroon played tough football with a compact defence, committing some dangerous fouls throughout the game. Andre Kana-Biyik was sent off in the 61st minute for tackling Claudio Caniggia, who was heading towards goal.
Then surprisingly, against the run of play, 10-man Cameroon took the lead in the match in 67th minute through a weak header from Francois Omam-Biyik. Argentine goalkeeper, Nery Pumpido, fumbled the ball and conceded a rather poor goal according to his standards.
Argentina tried hard to find an equaliser and in the 89th minute Claudio Caniggia was on course to score, when he was brutally fouled by Benjamin Massing, with Caniggia's shoe flying from his foot. Massing was shown a red card, but the damage was done.
Cameroon won the match 1-0. The result is still considered one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history."
Do you remember this memorable game of our African brothers? Have your say in the comment section below.
