African football is in mourning following the passing of Emmanuel Kunde, one of the continent’s most celebrated and respected defenders.
The former Cameroon international died at the age of 68 on Friday, May 16, 2025, leaving behind a towering legacy that defined two golden decades of African football.
According to reports from Yen, Kunde went to bed on the night of Thursday, May 15, and tragically did not wake up. His body has been taken to the Yaoundé Central Hospital mortuary, with further announcements from his family expected in the coming days.
Tributes have poured in from across the footballing world. Cameroon Football Federation President Samuel Eto’o shared an emotional message on Instagram, mourning the loss with tearful emojis and heartfelt words.
“I’m just learning of the demise of the Elder Emmanuel Jérôme Kundé, an iconic figure in Cameroonian football, who died at the age of 68. Oh the sadness! It is a certain value of our heritage that is thus cruelly taken away from us,” Eto’o wrote.
He continued: “I keep with him the memory of a discreet and affectionate man, a figure of moderation and consideration. He was a fantastic footballer — the control tower in the midfield, the defensive wall the opponent crashed into, but also a great playmaker when the team had possession. Individually, it was a fine passer and a gun with phenomenal power and goldsmith precision.
“In fifteen years with the national team (127 selections), he took part in the two legendary epics of the Indomitable Lions in the World Cup (1982 and 1990), and was twice winner of the CAN (1984 and 1988). His long career brought him to France (Laval, Reims) and Gabon (US Bitam) as a coach, though it is at Canon Sportif de Yaoundé that his name and legend will remain most associated, both as player and coach.
“Praying for the great football family to keep him in your thoughts and my deepest condolences to his nuclear family.”
Nigerian journalist Osasu Obayiuwana also expressed his shock at the news, writing: “This is sad to hear. What happened?” He described Kunde as a player whose intelligence and physical strength made him a formidable presence on the field and a nightmare for elite strikers.
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Kunde’s name resonates across generations, not just for his accolades but also for his commanding presence on the pitch. Known for his tactical intelligence, power, and versatility, he thrived primarily as a central defender but was equally effective in a defensive midfield role.
He remains Cameroon’s fifth-most capped player and remarkably, one of their top 10 all-time goal scorers — an extraordinary achievement for a defender. His ability to convert set-pieces into goals was a crucial weapon for the Indomitable Lions.
Kunde played a pivotal role in Cameroon’s Africa Cup of Nations victories in 1984 and 1988, and featured in the country’s historic FIFA World Cup appearances in 1982 and 1990. The 1990 tournament saw Cameroon reach the quarter-finals — the first African team to do so — solidifying Kunde’s status as a continental and global icon.
He began his professional career with Mbankomo FC and later played for clubs including Canon Yaoundé, Tempête de Nanga-Eboko FC, Provenance, and Olympic Mvolyé. After hanging up his boots, he ventured into coaching, leading teams like PWD Bamenda, Canon Yaoundé, and Gabonese side US Bitam in two managerial spells.
Emmanuel Kunde’s passing marks the end of a remarkable chapter in African football. His influence, leadership, and legacy will continue to inspire generations long into the future.
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