Africa’s top ranked team Cameroon were last night eliminated from the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations by defending champions Egypt. This rounds off a humiliating exit for another of the continent’s giants. Cameroon’s defeat proved that when it comes to African football, the Pharaoh are in a superior class.
The Indomitable Lions were the first to open the scoring when Achille Emana’s near post corner kick was headed in by Egyptian skipper Ahmed Hassan in the most bizarre of circumstances. Trying to head the ball over the crossbar, Hassan misdirected his effort and sent it past a shokced El Hadary who was clearly beaten.
Egypt’s equaliser was gifted to them when Cameroon’s defense failed to challenge Hassan who was lurking in Cameroon’s half and the skipper made amends for his earlier blunder when he struck a 34 metre weak shot that took an awkward bounce in front of Carlos Kameni and went straight into the net.
Cameroon started the second half with much gusto and they were only unlucky not to add to their solitary goal. The game ended in a draw and extra time was inevitable. This is where things get interesting. Just like with the Ivory Coast vs Algeria fixture, Egypt got a second goal immediately after the re-start.
5 minutes later, Cameroon were dealt a harsh blow when the referee awarded Egypt a goal from a resulting free-kick that never went over the line. Egypt won the match 3-1 and they will now face off with Algeria in a mouth watering semi final.
In the night’s other game Nigeria qualified for the semi’s after beating Zambia 5-4 on penalties. The Super Eagles will now take on Ghana’s Black Stars in another very entertaining match.
Photo credit: Ashraf Moawad
