Leopards run Scotland close

14th June 1974. Zaire vs Scotland. Westfalenstadion, Dortmund. Kick off: 1930
Attendance: 25,000

Zaire 0 Scotland 2 (Lorimer 26', Jordan 34')

Teams: Zaire: Kazadi, Mwepu, Mukombo, Buhanga, Lobilo, Kilasu, Mana, Kidumu (captain) (sub: Kibonge 78'), Ndaye, Maku (sub: Kembo 64'), Kakoko

Scotland:: Harvey, Jardine, McGrain, Bremner, Holton, Blackley, Dalglish (sub: Hutchinson 75'), Jordan, Hay, Lorimer, Law.
Coach: Willie Ormond.

Yellow cards: Kidumu (Zaire) 38', Holton (Scotland) 48'
Referee: Gerhard Schulenburg (Germany), Assistant referees: Tony Boskovic (Australia), Hans-Joachim Weyland (East Germany)

Pre-match comments:

"If we cannot beat Zaire then we should pack up our bags and go home." (Scotland coach, Willie Ormond)

"Zaire must be taken seriously. They got there on merit, just like everybody else." (Scotland striker, Willie Morgan, is a little more cautious)

"We won't make the mistake of underestimating Zaire because we have been caught that way before. We won't relax either because goals are important all the time. It's only against the English that we like to show our superiority in terms of flashiness. Against the Africans we will play the British way, hustling and bustling." (Scotland captain, Billy Bremner)

The Match

Zaire received all the plaudits on making their World Cup debut, not only for restricting the Scots to a two-goal margin, but also for their own exuberant, fast-flowing style of attacking football. Captain Mantantu Kidumu and fellow midfielder Mayanga Maku both wasted great goal-scoring opportunities for the Africans, whilst centre-half Boba Lobilo was outstanding in defence. Scotland's two goals both came in the first half, the second (by Joe Jordan) being blatantly offside.

Had it not been for the performances of Lobilo, goalkeeper Kazadi and the woodwork, Zaire would undoubtedly have suffered a much heavier defeat. The defensive frailties which were so cruelly exposed in the following match were apparent, particularly when the Zairians tried to defend free-kicks. However, the team had done their continent proud, announcing the true arrival of black African football onto the world stage.

"Let's face it, we underestimated them. For fifteen minutes I wondered what the hell was going on, where the devil had this lot come from, playing stuff like that!" (Scotland's centre-half, Jim Holton)

"I have no regrets about slowing down the game in the final ten minutes against the Africans. If the game was played again I'd do exactly the same thing. In the circumstances, it was the right decision, I'm sure. It was hot and sticky, which favoured Zaire, whose substitutes gave their team a kiss of life. If we had opened up any more, Zaire may have pinched a goal." (Billy Bremner) "We were weak in aerial duels and that, basically, was the difference." (Zaire midfielder, Adelard Mayanaga) "Zaire were an eye-opener. Their movements are snaky, they have a low centre of gravity, and their control is on the ground, with the accent on attack, as fresh as a summer breeze on a lovely summer night." (British journalist, Geoffrey Green)