Cameroon reverses Egypt and offers its fifth African crown

Cameroon won its fifth African Nations Cup by overthrowing Egypt (2-1). Vincent Aboubakar freed the indomitable Lions, who had been waiting for them for fifteen years.

Match: 2-1
Beaten in 1984 and in 2008 by Egypt in the final of the African Cup of Nations, Cameroon takes its revenge. The indomitable Lions overthrew the Pharaohs on Sunday at the Stade de l’Amitié in Libreville. Passing by their first period, with an Elneny goal conceded in the 22nd, they scored twice by Nkoulou (59th) and Aboubakar (88th) to lift the trophy. Milla and Eto’o, in trance in the stands, could exult, for this first coronation since 2002.

The movie of the match
In a rather cheerful stadium, sharp with the low atmosphere that surrounded the competition, Egypt quickly shivered, on a Said strike, saved by the excellent Ondoa (2nd). The men of Cuper knew to concretize their strong time. On a superb pass from Mohamed Salah, great man of the tournament, Elneny beat the Cameroon goalkeeper with coolness (22nd). The Cameroon Hugo Broos has suffered another blow in stride, when Teikeu left its partners on injury (31 ‘). Egypt, not flamboyant but effective, organized meticulously by Cuper, managed to control until the break, against Cameroonians too shy.

But Cameroon changed its face after the break. Later, the partners of Aboubakar, entered since the resumption, printed an important pressing in the Egyptian camp. Benjamin Moukandjo and Christian Bassogog on the sides began to hurt. Nkoulou, who entered Teikeu’s place in the first half, handed the Cameroonians to the game. On a licked center of Moukandjo from the left, the powerful head of the Lyonnais left no chance to the veteran El-Hadary (59th). The indomitable Lions continued to grow, with an incredible Moukandjo activity, but too imprecise (78th). Cameroon issuing finally came to Aboubakar (88th), an excellent series .

The goal of Nicolas Nkoulou ended a long drought of Cameroon in CAN finals. The Indomitable Lions had not scored for 358 minutes, and the final of the 2000 edition.

Entering the break, Vincent Aboubakar offered the CAN to Cameroon, 15 years after his last coronation. If the man of the match was undoubtedly Benjamin Moukandjo, Aboubakar deserves the title of blaster. His appearance on the lawn, in place of També, symbolized the awakening of the indomitable Lions. The 25-year-old striker brought attacking power, pounding the Egyptian defense to the edge of the break with the passing of minutes, just like his leg passes (70 ‘).

The striker of Besiktas, passed by Valenciennes and Lorient, exploded with joy the Cameroonian people at a few minutes of the term. Launched in depth, he controlled the chest at the entrance to the surface, eliminated Gabr, before setting off a winning half-volley. Replacing five times during the six matches of Cameroon during this CAN, Aboubakar, already decisive passer in the semi-finals, knew to shine at the right moment.

Mohamed Elneny was unavailable for quarterbacks and halfbacks due to a calf injury and was back for the final. The 24-year-old midfielder, who cruelly missed Arsenal against Chelsea on Saturday (1-3), brought volume to the game of Egypt. He especially launched the Pharaohs. At the start of the action, he saw the ball land in Salah’s feet, which gave him perfectly after fixing the defense. In a corner close to the right, he was able to beat Ondoa with a perfectly placed strike. Active in recovery, important to recovery, Elneny managed his return. But could not prevent Egypt from being overthrown.