Cameroon were last night given a brutal shock in their Group D encounter against Gabon when they were beaten 1-0 in Lubango. This rounds off the poor performances shown from their fellow giants Ivory Coast and Nigeria. The Indomitable Lions dominated from start. However, it was not to be their day as a solitary goal from Daniel Cousin in the 17th minute gave Gabon the important victory that sent them to the top of Group D.
Having already lost twice to Cameroon during their qualifying campaign, Gabon looked to erase their defeats by beating World Cup bound Cameroon. Watching Cameroon play here in Nairobi in a friendly against Kenya gave me the opportunity to analyse their squad for both this tournament and the World Cup.
Cameroon’s defense is not as airtight as they want as to believe it is. Sure hey have Rigobert Song and Geremi Njitap but they also make blunders that end up costing them. Remember Ghana 2008? Song’s last minute blunder allowed Egypt to win the game 1-0 and allow them to successfully defend their trophy.
I truly hope Paul Le Guen can get his defense right before they travel down South because his defense might be the reason Cameroon are bundled out of the tournament. Coming back to the Africa Cup of Nations Group D, there was another very entertaining game between Zambia and Tunisia which ended 1-1.
Tunisia are a totally new team. No more Jaidi, Bouazizi, Trabelsi and Dos Santos. These new players are the future of the Carthage Eagles. Zambia however, gave them a run for their money. They had the better chances and it was only after Tunisia equalised deep in the first half that they got back into the game. It will be really hard to pick the two teams progressing through from this group however, Gabon should not be written off. Tonight Group A action resumes with the hosts Angola facing Malawi while Algeria take on Mali.
