Cameroon at Italia ‘90: Roger Milla and the Legend of the Indomitable Lions - Part One

This week on It Was What It Was, Rob Draper and Jonathan Wilson look back at one of the most iconic footballing stories of all time: Cameroon’s 1990 World Cup. Jonathan and Rob look at the chaotic preparations behind Cameroon's campaign, discussing last-minute squad upheaval, internal conflicts between teammates, and the unexpected recall of a man who would become a legend: Roger Milla. In the build up to the tournament's opening game against defending champions Argentina, there were turbulent training camps, political interferences, and a complete lack of confidence in the squad. That would all change in the summer to come... Join us on Friday for Part Two. If you’re enjoying the podcast, please subscribe and consider leaving a five-star review to help others find the show. 00:00 Pre-Game Nerves and Disorganization 01:02 Introduction to the 1990 Cameroon Team 01:25 Historical Context of African Teams in the World Cup 02:26 The Dramatic Campaign of Cameroon 1990 04:40 The Goalkeeper Dilemma 07:25 African Football's Struggles and Triumphs 14:37 Colonial Impact on African Football 17:44 Cameroon's Chaotic Road to the World Cup 24:09 African Players in European Football 24:58 Cameroon's Discontent in the 1990s 26:02 The Build-Up to the 1990 World Cup 31:43 Roger Milla's Unexpected Return 40:07 Goalkeeper Rivalries and Team Dynamics 43:33 Pre-Match Chaos and Last-Minute Changes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.