Bottom of the Pack: Teams That Struggled Through the Years

Zaire (now DR Congo), the darling team of President Mobutu, became the first sub-Saharan African country to qualify in 1974, and actually began their Finals campaign in Gelsenkirchen with a creditable performance despite losing 0-2 to Scotland.

Things were to deteriorate swiftly however amid behind the scenes politicking and chaos. The remaining group games were lost 0-9 to Yugoslavia, and 0-3 to reigning World Champions, Brazil.

After being told their pay and bonuses were safe, no matter the result against the Scots, the squad weren’t paid, and threatened not to play against Yugoslavia.