Unfancied Cameroon shocks Egypt to win fifth Afcon title
Cameroon came from behind to beat Egypt 2-1 and seal a fifth Africa Cup of Nations in a thrilling, edgy final.
Substitute Vincent Aboubakar swept in the winner two minutes from time, flicking the ball over defender Ali Gabr and thumping it home.
Nicolas Nkoulou had earlier equalised for Cameroon, rising highest to power in a header on the hour mark.
The equaliser cancelled out Mohamed Elneny’s opener on 22 minutes with a beautifully taken near-post strike.
The wild celebrations for Aboubakar’s winner announced Cameroon’s return to the continental summit, after a 15-year wait.
It also makes them the second most successful nation in the competition’s history – behind Egypt – and marks the first time they have beaten the Pharaohs in the final in three attempts.
Besiktas striker Aboubakar ran towards the triumphant Cameroon fans in the Stade de l’Amitie stands in Libreville to celebrate, pursued by delirious team-mates and coaching staff.
Underdogs Cameroon had already upset the odds to reach the final and stunned the much-fancied Egyptians with a late dramatic strike, after fellow substitute Nkoulou had drawn them level.
Despite being beset by pre-tournament problems, including the withdrawal of key players such as Joel Matip and Eric Choupo-Moting, coach Hugo Broos managed to assemble a squad that got their reward for being strong, adaptable and resilient in equal measure throughout.
The Pharaohs – bidding for an eighth title after seven years in the international wilderness – started comfortably and Elneny’s opening strike capped a wonderful fluent move down the right.
The Gunners midfielder started the move and finished it – receiving the ball from Mohamed Salah in the box and sweeping it past Fabrice Ondoa into the roof of the net at the near post.
But Egypt invited the Indomitable Lions to come at them in the second half and they paid a heavy price.
The excellent Cameroon forward Benjamin Moukandjo whipped in a dangerous cross and substitute Nkoulou muscled his way through the Egyptian defence to beat Ahmed Hegazy to the ball and bury it past 44-year-old Essam El Hadary in the Egyptian goal.
The contest developed into a fascinating cagey final, with Cameroon, inspired by Christian Bassogog and Jacques Zoua up front, pinning Egypt back and limiting them to long balls to Salah and substitute Ramadan Sobhi.
Fatigue soon set in in the Egyptian ranks and Cameroon got their reward for increasing the pressure on the experienced Pharaohs defence.
Aboubakar controlled a long ball forward with his chest at the edge of the box, flicked it over the stranded Gabr, before gathering, taking a step and smashing home off his right foot for a fitting winner.
The Egyptians – featuring the tournament’s oldest and most experienced player – El Hadary, were left stunned after looking comfortable for much of the first half.
As they had done for much of the tournament, Egypt relied on a well-marshalled defence, led by Ahmed Hegazy, Gabr and Hull City’s Ahmed Elmohamady. They also had the formidable Elneny and Salah leading the line.
The Pharaohs more than played their part in an entertaining final, but it was Cameroon’s energy that would light up the occasion and provide a thrilling end to a thoroughly entertaining tournament for the near-capacity crowd of more than 38,000 in the Gabonese capital. Belgian coach Broos reflected the unity in his squad’s ranks, as he celebrated the first Nations Cup title of his career.
“I am happy for the players,” he said. “This is not a group of football players, they are a group of friends.”
Egypt coach Hector Cuper was left to dwell on another defeat in a major final, having lost two European Champions League finals with Spanish club Valencia.
“The sadness I have is not because I lost another final,” he said.
“It’s because there was so much hope especially among the people in Egypt and I am sorry for the players who put in so much effort.”
Other AFCON fixtures on 5 February
2012 Quarter-finals: Gabon 1-1 Mali aet
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2012 Quarter-finals: Ghana 2-1 Tunisia aet
2015 Semi-finals: Equatorial Guinea 0-3 Ghana
By: George ‘Alan Green’ Mahamah
