“Maradona if you cross our line I will k!ll you” Cameroon legend Ndip Victor reveals what he told late Maradona during Cameroon vs Argentina match in Italia 1990

Nkwain Desmond August 21st, 2023, 10:15 am

Former Cameroonian international Ndip Akem Victor reveals what he told the late Argentine legend Diego Maradona during Cameroon’s match against Argentina in the Italia 1990 FIFA World Cup

It was Cameroon’s first group match of the tournament and the Indomitable Lions had an uphill task against a star studded 1986 Champions Argentina. The team was made up of big names like Diego Maradona, Gustavo Dezotti, Jorge Burruchaga and many more and Cameroon were given almost no chance of winning by bookmarkers.

However, the match turned out differently, Cameroon dominated Argentina in the game and completely kept Maradona out of the game.

The pressure was eased for the Argentines when Cameroonian defender Andre Kana-Biyik was shown a Red card in the 61st minute.

However, the Argentines couldn’t capitalize on the extra player advantage as Cameroon went ahead in the 68th minute through Francois Omam-Biyik’s header. Cameroon defended the goal till full time and recorded the first upset of the Italia 1990 FIFA World Cup.

Speaking in an interview, Ndip Victor revealed how he managed to stop Maradona in the match

“I said to him… Please I am an amateur player, You are a professional player… If you cross our line here, I will “k!ll” you. I don’t have anything to lose… You are the one having something to loose… So he was afraid and that’s how we had a little bit of space to play the game” revealed Ndip during an interview back in April 2023.

Cameroon won their second group match against Roumania 1-0 before loosing to Soviet Union 4-0 in their last group match. Despite the result they still finished top of the group ahead of Soviet Union and Argentina who finished second and third respectively. Argentina qualified to the quarter finals as one of the best third placed teams.

The Indomitable Lions faced Colombia in the Round of 16 who finished third in Group D.

After a Goalless draw in regular time, a Roger Milla extra time brace ensured Cameroon secured a 2-1 win over Colombia, becoming only the first African side in history at the time to reach the World Cup Quarter Finals.

They lost to England 2-3 in the Quarter Finals after a controversial penalty was awarded to England in Extra Time

West Germany defeated Argentina 1-0 in the finals that year to be crowned World Champions for the third time.