As I was watching my beloved Netherlands labour against a determined Japan side, on Sunday night, in the ongoing 2026 Fifa World Cup, I could not help but look back on how far back I have been watching the World Cup.
My mind went back to the 1982 Fifa World Cup, hosted by Spain, which was the first one I ever watched. In fact, I consider it the best World Cup I have watched. Do not get me wrong, this year’s World Cup has set a few records, including being the first one to be hosted by three countries, and also has the biggest number of teams (48).
But the 1982 tournament also set a record of having expanded to 24 teams. As a result, Africa secured a second slot. At the tournament, there were six debutantes: Kuwait, Algeria, Cameroon, El- Salvador, Honduras and New Zealand.
EVOKED MEMORIES
A few days to the 1982 tournament, Uganda Television (UTV) announced it was going to show us the whole tournament. At the time, it was such exciting news to a big football base here in the country.
Most had never watched the World Cup on live TV. The World Cup prior, in Argentina, 1978, had only been watched by a few privileged individuals, who accessed the UTV studios in Nakasero.
That is just how difficult it used to be, to watch the biggest sporting event in the World at the time. So, following UTV’s grand announcement, I and a few colleagues, agreed to watch it on the big screens at Delight Cinema (Kampala Rd adjacent to Uganda Railways) which used to house Club Amnesia.
I rooted for Brazil because of my KCCA FC connections (KCCA used to be called the Brazil of Uganda). The opening game was played on June 13, 1982 at the Camp Nou, Barcelona. It pit Belgium against the defending champions Argentina. Then, I rooted for Argentina, who at the time, unleashed a young Diego Maradona to the World.
They were hot favourites. The game was a sell-out and the cinema hall was packed to the brim. I cheered each and every move the Argentine players made. But it was a tough game and at half-time, it was goalless. In the second half, Belgium upped the ante, scoring against Argentina.
It was a humbling goal, that left me chilled in my seat. It was not long before the Europeans saw out the game with a 1-0 victory. As a result, I saw no reason of continuing my support for Argentina, after they lost. I discarded them, and waited for my favourites, Brazil.
The South Americans, who had last won the World Cup in 1970, had top names like skipper Socrates, Zico, Falcao and of course Junior. The elegant Brazilians were cheered throughout their games, especially their opening game against the Soviet Union, which they won 2-1.
This game was the talk of town because of Brazil’s passing game. Zico’s name was greatly lauded, not only because of how well he played, particularly, but also because of the fact that he wore shirt number 10.
He inspired Brazil to further wins against Scotland and New Zealand, to storm the second round in style. Remember, this was the first tournament in which Africa was represented by two countries: Algeria and Cameroon.
Cameroon drew big support here because of Roger Milla and goalkeeper Thomas Nkono. But the problem they faced, was that they were too defensive. They completed their group phase games with three draws against Peru, Poland and Italy.
Meanwhile, I had not cared much about Algeria until when they defeated West Germany 2-1. The European giants were among the title favourites. Ugandan fans backed Algeria because of their beautiful display, especially through star players like Rabah Madjer and Lakhdar Belloumi.
Of course, Germany was one of the teams which had big support locally. But the `syndicate’ they played with Austria to eliminate Algeria reduced their local support. Incidentally, all the teams I supported did not make it to the semi-finals.
Instead, it was West Germany, Italy (the eventual winners), Poland and France. In my view, the best game of the tournament was the semi-final clash between West Germany and France.
I have never watched a game with so many technical and tactical players. They oozed excitement and tension in plenty. Great footballers like Germany’s skipper Karl- Heinz Rummenigge, Klaus Fischer, Pierre Littbaraski and Paul Breitner all evoke great memories.
For France, I was mostly attracted to the skills of Michel Platin, Alain Giresse and Jean Tigana. The game ended 3-3 after extra time, before the Germans won 5-4 in the penalty shoot-out. During the final between Italy and West Germany, I was a neutral.
At Delight Cinema where I watched the entire tournament, many were supporting Germany, but for me, I was more interested in Paolo Rossi, the unknown player who became the tournament’s MVP.
Together with Marco Tardelli and Alessandro Altobelli, they put Germany to the sword with a 3-1 victory. Rossi ended the tournament as top-scorer with six goals. After the tournament, the local media baptized local players with World Cup star names: John Latigo (Rossi), Steven Nsubuga (Platini), Sam Mugambe (Zico), John Mugumya (Tigana), Godfrey Kateregga (Rummenigge) while Mike Mulo (Breitner) among others.