Sports
JUST IN: Former Cameroon Football Legend Emmanuel Kunde Dies In His Sleep At 68

The former Cameroon international died at the age of 68 on Friday, May 16, leaving behind a towering legacy that spanned two golden decades of African football.
African football has been dealt another heartbreaking blow with the passing of Emmanuel Kunde, one of the continent’s most iconic and revered defenders.
The former Cameroon international died at the age of 68 on Friday, May 16, leaving behind a towering legacy that spanned two golden decades of African football.
According to Yen, Kunde went to bed on the evening of Thursday, May 15, and tragically never woke up. His remains have been deposited at the Yaoundé Central Hospital mortuary, with further announcements expected from his family.
Tributes have since poured in from across the footballing world. Cameroon Football Federation President and global football icon, Samuel Eto’o, expressed his sorrow on Instagram, using tearful emojis to mourn the loss.
Eto’o posted, “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.
“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 as a national team (127 selections), he took part in the two legendary epics of the Indomitable Lions in the World Cup (1982 and 1990), twice winner of the CAN (1984 and 1988).
His long career brought him to France (Laval, Reims) and Gabon (US Bitam) as a coach, even though it is in the Canon sportif de Yaoundé that his name and legend will remain associated forever, as a player and as a 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 reacted with shock, posting: “This is sad to hear.
What happened?” He described Kunde as a player whose intelligence and physical prowess on the pitch made him a nightmare for even the most lethal strikers.
Kunde’s name commands respect across generations — not only for his impressive list of achievements, but also for the commanding presence he brought to the game.
Renowned for his strength, tactical intelligence, and versatility, he excelled primarily as a central defender but was also effective in a defensive midfield role.
Kunde remains Cameroon’s fifth-most capped player and is also among the nation’s top 10 all-time goal scorers — a rare feat for a defender.
His knack for finding the back of the net, particularly from set-pieces, became one of the Indomitable Lions’ most potent weapons.
He was instrumental in Cameroon’s triumphs at the Africa Cup of Nations in 1984 and 1988 and played key roles in the country’s appearances at the 1982 and 1990 FIFA World Cups.
The 1990 tournament saw Cameroon reach the quarter-finals — the first African team to do so — cementing Kunde’s status as a legend of the global game.
Kunde began his professional journey with Mbankomo FC before playing for clubs such as Canon Yaoundé, Tempête de Nanga-Eboko FC, Provenance, and Olympic Mvolyé.
Following his retirement from active football, he transitioned into coaching, taking charge of teams like PWD Bamenda, Canon Yaoundé, and US Bitam during two managerial spells.
Emmanuel Kunde’s death marks the end of an era, but his impact on African football will continue to inspire generations to come.
Sports
Club World Cup: All Round of 16 fixtures revealed [Full list]
Paris Saint-Germain take on Inter Miami, in what has been dubbed the Lionel Messi Derby, while Flamengo square up against Bayern Munich.

The 16 teams remaining in the 2025 Club World Cup to compete for the trophy have been confirmed.
This follows the conclusion of the Group H games in the early hours of Friday.
Real Madrid defeated Salzburg 3-0, with goals from Vinicius Junior, Federico Valverde, and Gonzalo Garcia.
The result saw Xabi Alonso’s men finish in top spot and they will face Juventus in the last 16.
Al Hilal beat Pachuca 2-1 and will take on Manchester City.
In other fixtures confirmed prior, Inter Milan face Fluminense and Monterrey are up against Borussia Dortmund.
Benfica play Chelsea on Saturday, while Palmeiras will clash with Botafogo in an all-Brazilian affair.
Paris Saint-Germain take on Inter Miami, in what has been dubbed the Lionel Messi Derby, while Flamengo square up against Bayern Munich.
(The Sun)
Sports
Nigerians Set for June 28 Olympic Day Celebrations
The celebration will feature a variety of non-competitive sporting activities such as jogging and walking, designed to encourage calorie burning, muscle toning, and overall wellbeing.

Seventeen Nigerian states have confirmed their participation in the 2025 Olympic Day celebrations.
The event will take place across the country on June 28.
The annual event, which promotes the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect, has gained momentum in recent years, with organisers expanding activities to encourage wider public participation.
This year, states including Edo, Plateau, Ondo, Taraba, Enugu, Delta, Kwara, the Federal Capital Territory, Anambra, Bayelsa, Bauchi, Kogi, Gombe, Osun, Imo and Lagos, home to the secretariat of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, will host a series of community-based events aimed at promoting health and fitness.
The celebration will feature a variety of non-competitive sporting activities such as jogging and walking, designed to encourage calorie burning, muscle toning, and overall wellbeing.
Sports
Amuneke Urges FG: Give rest of ‘94 Eagles their houses
Amuneke’s comments come as the Federal Government continues to fulfil its three-decade-old promise of house allocations to members of the 1994 Super Eagles squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia.

Former Super Eagles winger Emmanuel Amuneke has called on the Federal Government to expedite the distribution of houses to the remaining members of the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad, confirming that he received his allocation long ago.
“They should hand over to the others now. Let them do it.”
Amuneke’s comments come as the Federal Government continues to fulfil its three-decade-old promise of house allocations to members of the 1994 Super Eagles squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia.
The government recently presented an allocation letter for a house in Abuja to former striker Efan Ekoku, who was represented at the brief ceremony by his niece, Lisa Jenifer Nwagbogun.
The Director and Head of Department, Public Building and Housing Development, Pemi Temitope, presented the letter on behalf of the Minister of Housing and Urban Development.
He described the move as part of the government’s commitment to rewarding the patriotic service of the team, which brought honour to the nation three decades ago.
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