"Six precious minutes is what Haitian soccer fans have been hanging onto since June 15, 1974, when Emmanuel ``Manno'' Sanon scored one of the most memorable goals in World Cup history."

"With my pace, you can't leave me with just one defender, but that is what happened. I was one-on-one with Spinosi. I received a pass from Phillipe Vorbe. I beat the defender with my

Personally, my responsability was big, I knew it, and everybody knew it, why. Back home, the nation had hoped, but, at the time, worried.

Emmanuel Sanon and all the players from that time deserve our profound respect and their names should sparkle as brilliant stars around a symbolic national soccer ball.

speed. One-on-one with Dino Zoff, and the goal was wide open. I dummied to go left, and then went right. I rounded him, and rolled the ball into the net," said Manno.

This National Haitian team had also many skilled and talented players to rely on such as Henri Francillon, Philippe Vorbe, Pierre Bayonne, Ernst Jean-Joseph, Jean-Claude Desir (Tom-Pouce) and so on...

But Manno Sanon was the key-player and the hope of Haiti in 1974.

The Founder Of The City Of Chicago

HT.- What happened to the Haitian team after Italy led the game by 3 goals?

E.S.- Let me put it this way, so you can understand. Imagine you went to a bar or restaurant, and you walked straight to Mike Tyson and slapped him on his face in front of everybody, and you got him mad, there you have it, that's what happened.

H.T.- 31 years later what do you think can be done in order to relive this memorable time?

E.S.- In order for us to get to that level again, a lot should be done for that to happen. We did it once, why not use the same recipe another time.

Sportively,
Manno Sanon
Haitian Athlete of the Century

"Facing the Italian Soccer Team was not an easy task for the Haitian Internationals. The historic Munich Stadium was packed with fans and visitors. The world was watching a battle between Goliath and David. Haitians celebrated in the streets just to see their country among the best in the world. They knew that their team would not be able to compete against the giants of the world. On the other hand, they knew that the world would have a chance to see the Haitian Pele. Certainly the world did see the talented Sanon when he beat the best goalkeeper Dino Zoff and scored for Haiti." Can that happen again?

"During the '70's and '80s, when one talked about the CONCACAF, two countries came to mind. Mexico and Haiti were the pillars of the CONCACAF. Haitian Football was synonym to Emmanuel Sanon. He was a deadly striker, and always came to the rescue of the national team. When Sanon played, no one knew what to expect since he had the ability to please his fans. He was the symbol of Haitian football; he was the catalyst.
When Trinidad beat Mexico in the CONCACAF Elimination for the 1974 World Cup,

HT.- How did you feel when Philippe Vorbe sent you the ball, which allowed you to score against Italy?

E.S.- After the first half, we were very encouraged by the score, now, we had to prepare ourselves to endure more. The Italians, were going forward with everything they had. That's what they did, as soon as we started the second half.

Phillipe, receiving the ball near our goal, after a clearance from Nazaire, he right away saw the mistake

made by the Italians defenders, by that, I mean, leaving me one on one with Spinosi, then, he (Phillipe) made the pass, not to me directly, but, to space behind Spinosi, and the race was on. Franckly, I did not have time to think about anything else, tried to be first to the ball before him (Spinosi), and that's what I did.

HT.- Can you tell us about your feeling just before the game at the Munich Stadium in Germany?

E.S.- My feelings before were mixed, I didn't know what to expect. That was the first time I found myself in that situation. Remember, the Italian Team was a finalist, four years before, adding to that, for two years, nobody couldn't score on their defense, so, our plate was full.

I was happy for my country, for the people, who were very disappointed four years ago in 1969, when we lost against El Savaldor, in Jamaica.

Most Haitians who witnessed this goal were so excited and chilled at that time.. Many fans still recall today that euphoria and those precious minutes as if they were yesterday.

He was the symbol of Haitian Football and always came to the rescue of the national team. Born in 1951, Sanon made his name as a striker with the Don Bosco club of Petion-Ville. In 1973 the Haitian Football Federation successfully lobbied for the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying tournament to be staged in Port-au-Prince. The favorites, Mexico and Trinidad, were eclipsed by the Haitian team, and Sanon's goals propelled his team to the top of the group. Haiti became the second Caribbean team to qualify for the World Cup Finals.

We should make those good times come back again so our children can experience this everlasting pride we've had in the past.

Manno Sanon created "The Emmanuel Sanon's Foundation" intended to guide the young toward sport and particularly soccer. He wrote two books in French entitled "Manno Sanon: Toup Pou Yo."

Manno Sanon's speed and strike against Italy was voted the best of the entire tournament by International soccer writers, thus turning him into a legend. He is an athlete to give all Haitians their proudest time for years.