There’s nothing purer than the joy of celebrating a goal and without Roger Milla’s iconic dance in Italy, the expression of that joy would still be a lot more muted. Catch the 2022 FIFA World Cup on SuperSport in 13 languages. Press "Options" on your remote for languages available in your region.
Africa was always going to be the kick-starter when it came to bringing flair into celebrating, and as the scorer of the goals that sent an African team into the quarter-finals for the first time, it was Milla that got to bring more joy into the game.
Back in 1990, everyone had been waiting for Africa to unleash more of its potential on the FIFA World Cup stage. While they had a few tournament appearances at, success had been limited and the rest of the world still viewed them as a slumbering giant.
Nobody embodies the idea of waking up a sleeping giant more than Roger Milla. As a 38-year-old man who had to be brought out of retirement in Reunion, it was fair to say that he had accepted that any World Cup dreams he had wouldn’t be fulfilled.
He ended up going to two tournaments, became the nation’s leading scorer at the tournament and will go down as the man that announced the spirit of African football on a global stage.
Cameroon had already announced themselves by beating Argentina in the opening game at the San Siro (a game where Milla only played eight minutes off the bench).
This was enough to send shockwaves throughout the world: an African team beating the defending champions.
After getting past the group stage, the Round of 16 awaited with a game against Colombia – a team that had stars of their own like captain Carlos Valderrama and flamboyant goalkeeper Rene Higuita.
In a tetchy 90 minutes, it was goalless, but the super-sub Milla had entered the fray and was about to make a famous lasting impression.
First he ran through with a turn of pace that belied his age and blasted Cameroon into the lead. Then, following some trademark dicey advanced play by Higuita, Milla dispossessed the goalkeeper and placed the ball into an empty net.
As the cherry on top for the first ever win by an African team in a FIFA World Cup knockout match, Milla then performed his trademark: the dance of the corner flag.
In an age where celebrations were nothing more elaborate than pumped fists, cheers and handshakes, this dance was one that captured the imagination for everyone.
In that moment, Milla became the pioneer of the contemporary goal celebration. He had now brought swagger and style to the football pitch, and the pure joy that a goal brings would be expressed with more feeling from that point on.
Cameroon went onto the quarter-finals where they faced a quality England team and valiantly lost a thrilling game 3-2. They were applauded off as one of the most popular sides in what was otherwise considered one of the stalest FIFA World Cup tournaments in history.
Roger Milla should be remembered for more than his celebration, but the lasting effect of that jig in the corner is a legacy that’s made the beautiful game all the more beautiful.