The very sad story of Zaire at the World Cup.

The very sad story of Zaire at the World Cup

It’s really sad the story of Zaire at the World Cup. The African team’s iconic man Ilunga Mwepu, who became famous, despite himself, in West Germany in 1974 and who è passed away a few years ago. In fact, he was the footballer who against Brazil got a caution for leaving the barrier and kicking away a ball that Rivelino should have shot on a free kick.

It was an episode that might have seemed comical, but in fact hid a situation of the highest drama. Zaire had in fact qualified for that World Cup at the great urging of General Mobutu, who controlled the country with an iron fist and saw sport as the ideal vehicle for his propaganda.

Zaire had però been heavily defeated by Yugoslavia: 9-0. And Mobutu’s henchmen had been clear: "If against Brazil you take more than 3 goals for you and your families it gets bad". And the penalty whistled by referee Nicolae Rainea arrived precisely at 3-0 for the selection led by Mario Zagallo, who died in recent days.

In the first-ever match in a final phase of a rainbow review, the African team had been honorably beaten 2-0 by Scotland, thanks to goals scored by Lorimer and Jordan, the ‘Shark’, with a header that was actually far from irresistible. Then, però came the drubbing with the Slavs.

As for Mobutu’s propaganda, one cannot forget the boxing match of the century staged on October 30, 1974 in Kinshasa, the 'Rumble in the Jungle' won by Muhammad Ali against George Foreman after a battle that became legendary enough to inspire books, movies and documentaries.