BEIJING: The hero of the World Cup Soccer tournament in Rome earlier this year, Roger Milla of Cameroon, has said that support from soccer powers is vital to improve the level of African and Asian teams.
The 38yearold veteran striker, who is visiting Beijing as a member of an official trade delegation of the West African nation, explained that “it takes the support of the developed countries, Cameroon has invited many foreign coaches. That’s why ‘our team did a good job in Italy.”
Cameroon surged up to quarterfinals where they bowed to England 32 but retained worldwide charisma because of their superlative showing among all teams of Africa and Asia,
Roger Milla told Chinese reporters that foreign experience had been helpful to Cameroon as more than half of its players have been involved in professional soccer in Europe and America, Milla himself played for a French second division team before retiring.
Playing abroad helps players know more about training methods and gives them a better sense of timing.
Milla, who posted four goals at the Italia°90, said he was willing to go on playing if he could sign with a professional club, most likely in Austria, but that so far no deal had been worked out.
Milla had played for the 1982 Cameroon team that drew all three matches played, but failed to advance because of the goal difference.
The team, under Soviet coach Valery Nepommyaschy, had edged defending champions Argentina 110 in this year’s cup ‘opener and then moved into second round after a resounding victory over Romania aided by substitute Milla’s twin goals. Cameroon made it to quarterfinals after Milla was called in and hit another double against Columbia in extra time.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 30, 1990
