Following Cameroon's dramatic AFCON progression, we check out the nation's trailblazing PUMA kits that were banned by FIFA.
Check it out!
What's the story?
The Indomitable Lions live to fight another day at this year's Africa Cup of Nations tournament, after a dramatic 3-2 win over The Gambia.
In light of their AFCON progression, we look back at Cameroon's most infamous kits designed by PUMA, which were banned by FIFA!
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Let's take a closer look at the story behind these kits...
Cameroon's banned PUMA kits
It was a narrow escape for the Cameroonians in their final Group C encounter against the spirited Gambians, who were eager to end their campaign on a high.
Goals from Karl Toko Ekambi, an own-goal from James Gomez and a stoppage time winner from Christopher Wooh was enough see Cameroon progress to the round of 16, where they'll face the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Although the Indomitable Lions no longer have PUMA as a technical sponsor, the two parties enjoyed a memorable partnership that saw two of their kits being banned by FIFA.
In 2002, they headed into the Africa Cup of Nations in Mali as one of the favourites — boasting a wealth of world class talent, such as FECAFOOT's President and Cameroon icon, Samuel Eto’o, current head coach Rigobert Song, as well as Geremi, Lauren and Patrick M'Boma!
The Indomitable Lions went on to win the tournament but one of the biggest talking points from their successful 2002 AFCON was their sleeveless jerseys.
FIFA weren't pleased with these basketball-esque kits and ordered their Federation to change it, with the West African giants adding black sleeves to the jerseys to meet FIFA regulations at 2002 World Cup hosted in South Korea and Japan.
Remember when @puma released that sleeveless Cameroon shirt that was subsequently banned by FIFA? They had to add black sleeves on retrospectively that had weird gaps under the armpits ??
— Cult Kits (@cultkits) December 16, 2021
Maybe our favourite ‘banned kit’ of all pic.twitter.com/cFY6VCncEq
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PUMA and Cameroon pushed the boundaries once again in 2004, with a one-piece kit! The green jersey was attached to the red shorts, prompting FIFA to step in again and ban the kit.
As mentioned by Classic Football Shirts, FIFA fined FECAFOOT over $150 000 for wearing the innovative kit at a 2006 World Cup qualifier, resulting in the team being docked six points.
FIFA later reversed their harsh penalty after a lawsuit from the Cameroonians who mentioned that they weren't aware that a one-piece kit is illegal...
???? Nothing better than Cameroon rocking up to the 2002 AFCON in sleeveless kits, only to turn up to the 2004 edition in a onesie.
— African Insider (@African_Insider) June 12, 2021
FIFA may have banned both, but we can't ignore their swagger & style. pic.twitter.com/x6artwPFpX
Have your say on these iconic kits...
Scroll through the gallery to view the banned kits:
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