Cameroon 1990 world cup vintage home shirt by adidas

 

The 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy was a tournament where Cameroon, the unfancied African underdogs, rewrote history, captured the hearts of millions, and proved that African teams could compete with the best. Led by an ageing but inspired Roger Milla, the Indomitable Lions roared into the quarter-finals, the first African team to ever do so, in a run that still resonates today.

Cameroon’s campaign kicked off in unforgettable fashion at Milan’s San Siro on 8th June 1990. Their opponents? The reigning world champions, Argentina, led by Diego Maradona. Few gave the Africans a chance, but in a physical and tactically disciplined performance, they stunned the football world with a 1-0 victory, courtesy of François Omam-Biyik’s header. Even more remarkably, Cameroon finished the game with nine men after André Kana-Biyik and Benjamin Massing were sent off.

Cameroon followed up their heroics with a 2-1 win over Romania, with 38-year-old Roger Milla coming off the bench to score twice. His goals, coupled with his now-famous hip-swaying dance at the corner flag, became one of the iconic images of the tournament. A heavy 4-0 defeat to the Soviet Union in their final group match did little to dampen their momentum, as they advanced to the knockout rounds as group winners.

In the round of 16, Cameroon faced Colombia in a gripping encounter in Naples. The match remained goalless after 90 minutes, before Milla once again proved decisive in extra time. He capitalised on a defensive error to put Cameroon ahead, then famously dispossessed goalkeeper René Higuita to score a second, sealing a 2-1 victory. The veteran’s brilliance ensured Cameroon’s place in the quarter-finals, the first African team to ever reach that stage.

On 1st July, Cameroon faced England in the quarter-finals at the Stadio San Paolo. Despite falling behind to a Gary Lineker penalty, Cameroon’s fearless play saw them take a 2-1 lead through Emmanuel Kundé and a superb strike from Eugène Ekéké. With just minutes remaining, however, Lineker equalised from the spot before scoring the winning penalty in extra time. England had scraped through, but Cameroon had won the world’s admiration.

The Shirt

Every great footballing story has a visual identity, and Cameroon's 1990 kit is now the stuff of legend. Manufactured by Adidas, the simple yet striking green jersey featured the roaring lion emblem on the chest, complemented by red shorts. The shirt, loose-fitting with a classic v-neck design, became a symbol of the team’s fearless and flamboyant style. Today, it is a collector’s item, desired by most football shirt collectors.

Cameroon’s Italia ’90 journey changed the global perception of African football. Their fearless attacking play, combined with tactical discipline and the charisma of Roger Milla, paved the way for future African successes on the world stage. FIFA responded to their performance by increasing Africa’s representation at future World Cups.

Their 1990 campaign remains one of the greatest underdog stories in World Cup history. And their shirt—a simple, classic design—stands as a reminder of the tournament where the Indomitable Lions truly lived up to their name.