ZAIRE 1974 WORLD CUP NIGHTMARE

Football Story

    Zaire’s 1974 World Cup Nightmare

In 1974, West Germany, the tenth FIFA WORLD CUP staging was held from June the 13th to July the 7th. There were 16 teams involved and one of them was Zaire National Team (leopards), Zaire was the first sub-Sahara African national to be involved in a World Cup tournament. In 1934 Egypt became the first African national to qualify for a World Cup finals tournament. Unluckily, Egypt did not go far, they were knocked out of the competition by Hungary by a score line of four goals to two.

Years later Zaire managed to qualify and they made history in a bizarre way. There were more than three unwanted incidents that Zaire was involved in.

The most popular incident occurred on June 22 in a match against Brazil. It was the final game of the group. Brazil had already qualified for the next round, but they had to play an already eliminated Zaire team. Everyone knew Zaire had no chance against Brazil, it was almost over predictable. Zaire was no near Brazil’s level, they were amateur.

Let me take you back to where it all started. As we all know Zaire were ruled by their military dictator and president Mobutu Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu Wazabanga from 1930 to 1997 that’s 67 years of power. He wasn’t someone who really care much about Football, but when Zaire was showing signs of qualifying for the 1974 World cup finals competition, he started getting involved in football a little bit more. His prefer sport was Boxing, that is what he enjoyed most manly because of Mohammed Ali. The Rumble in The Jungle fight had nothing to do with Zaire nightmare at the World Cup, but because it happened the same year and because of what President Mobutu did that is the reason why the fight is being mentioned in this wonderful story.

During the qualification, Mobutu promised all the players that he was going to buy them houses and cars if they manage to qualify for the World Cup finals tournament, and as you know back in the 1970s, footballer were not as rich as they are today so if someone promise to buy you a house and a car then that’s something you want to hear. Zaire’s players and staff were promised a Volkswagen, a 1974 modern house and holiday overseas. Now if that does not motivate you then I don’t know what will.

President Mobutu went on to fulfil his promises by buying the players cars and houses, but things were about to go from bad to worse in a matter of weeks. Things did not go as well as many people expected. Zaire were clearly the underdogs, but because of their performances during the qualifications many people thought they were going to make Africa proud, but that was all thrown away as African people were forced to forget the fact that Zaire had made an appearance at the 1974 world cup.   It was supposed to be one of African’s greatest moment in football, but it turns out to be a nightmare.

It all start on the 14th of June against Scotland, Before the match, Scotland’s manager Willie Ormond was not impressed by Zaire performance at the African Cup of Nationals and he said quoted; “if we cannot beat Zaire then we should pack our bags and go home.”  He was right, they beat Zaire 2-0. Although Zaire did put on a good performance in that particular game creating many chances and putting the crowd on their feet, but they were not clinical enough to put the ball in the back of the net and it ended in a defeat.

This good start did not last long as Zaire players were informed after the Scotland game that they would not get paid. The players were furious by this decision and rightfully so, as it was required that players should get paid after each game. They even refused to play the second game against Yugoslavia.

This chaos was caused by Zairian Football federation officials who always pocket players wages. According to Mwepu Ilunga, a former Zaire player explained that there were many reasons behind their poor showing at the World cup. He said after they learnt that they were not going to get paid they refused to play the second game against Yugoslavia until the last minutes when the West Germany FA (Football Association) intervened and convinced them to play. The leopard warriors did not put a fight and agree to play.

The game against Yugoslavia was the real nightmare as Zaire were trashed 9-0 in a match that was label as one of the worst performance ever at a world cup tournament.It was very disappointing time as Zaire were expected to represent Africa and not to embarrassed the whole dang continent.

Things went from bad to worse. “after the match he sent his presidential guards to threaten us. They closed the hotel to all journalist and said that if we lost by 4 goals to Brazil, none of us would be allowed to return home” That was the message from the man who brought them cars and houses after they qualified for the World Cup and now he was sending them threats.

Now it was up to the player to perform or not return home or even risk getting killed. After 85 minutes they were already 3-0 down and then the Brazil got a free kick in a dangerous area, Mwepu and his team were in real danger of not returning home or even being killed. That’s when the bizarre moment came to life as defender Mwepu Ilunga sprint from the defensive wall and kicked the ball to the other side of the field. Many people though he was someone who had very little football knowledge, but it was clear to many people that Mwepu did not want to see a 4th goal go into the back of his team’s net because that would mean that they would not be allowed to return home. He looked panicked and it was like he was trying to waste time. Luckily for them, the referee blew the full-time whistle with the score like still at 3-0. The moment Ilunga kicked the ball to the other side of the field is regard as one the funniest moment in football history, but for the Zaire players, this wasn’t as funny as it appears it was a team in fear and trying to save their lives.  They were allowed to return to Zaire initially (Democratic Republic of Congo)  

The money that was promised to the roster was never paid, all the talented players were quick forgotten, the government stopped funding the national team and it will be the last time they challenge for any African honours or qualified for World Cup. It gets has far as the government would not allow players to go play abroad for rich clubs and most of the players lived the rest of their lives in poverty, no one really cared about the warriors that made history by becoming the first ever African National to qualified for World Cup finals tournament.

This was a football story that started with excitement but end with sadness. Of course, African football has improved very dramatically since this incident, they have gone as far as reaching the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals.

We can only hope there won’t be anymore moment in football where players have to play or be killed.