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N'kono's performances in 1982 helped forge a new respect for the African game. David Cannon/Allsport |
Confident and effortlessly capable, N'Kono was one of the best goalkeepers of the 1982 World Cup in Spain, and his performances helped forge a new respect for the game south of the Mediterranean.
N'Kono's best display came in Cameroon's 0-0 draw with Peru. At one point he stopped a shot with one hand, passed the ball behind his back and collected it in the other, all in one movement.
N'Kono also kept a clean sheet against Poland, and Cameroon completed its group matches unbeaten with a 1-1 draw against Italy -- N'Kono was only beaten by a deflection. But the eventual world champion edged out the African side by virtue of having scored one extra goal.
Cameroon headed home, but N'Kono had done enough to stay in Spain, becoming the first African goalkeeper to sign a professional contract in Europe with Espanyol.
In 1990, when the Indomitable Lions took the World Cup by storm, N'Kono remained a reliable presence at the back.
Against world champion Argentina in the opening game, Cameroon was reduced to nine men, but N'Kono stood firm and his side grabbed a stunning 1-0 win.
After further wins over Romania and Colombia, Cameroon's run was finally ended by England in the quarterfinals when N'Kono was beaten by two Gary Lineker penalties.
But N'Kono's involvement in Cameroon's thrilling campaign was enough to ensure his status as a legend of African soccer.
