ACTUALITE |
10.02.2002
Lions to roar today
Tomorrow`s Nations Cup final pits Cameroon`s Indomitable Lions against Senegal`s Lions, with Senegal looking to continue to shock the continent.
Senegal are not only the surprise finalists, they are the surprise in African football over the past year. Sensationally edging out the more-fancied Moroccans and Egyptians for a place in the World Cup finals, the Lions have carried their excellent form into the African Cup of Nations.
They took their form into their semi-final against Nigeria, getting the win even though they played most of the match with only 10 men.
Even a late Nigerian equalizer did not stop them, with The Lions regrouping to find the winner.
Midfielder Pape Sarr`s red card from the Nigeria game carries into the final, but Senegal coach Bruno Metsu has an experienced potential substitute in Sylvain Ndaiye.
Cameroon`s Indomitable Lions had a comparably easy passage into the final with a convincing 3-0 victory over hosts Mali.
Cameroon coach Winfried Schaefer welcomes back Serie A striker Patrick Mboma to his squad. Mboma was rested in the semi-final as he recovered from a thigh injury, but he is expected to play tomorrow.
This would give the coach the pleasant problem of having to choose between three-in-form strikers. It seems likely that Pius Ndiefi will lose his place in the starting line-up, even though he played a blinder against Mali.
There was other good news for Schaefer, who was banned yesterday from sitting on the bench and entering his side`s changing rooms after an altercation between his assistant coach and Malian soldiers and police. Schafer rushed to Thomas Nkono`s assistance and was slapped with the suspension. Nkono was banned for a year from all footballing activities of the continental association.
Cameroon appealed against the suspensions and Schaefer has been told to pay a $2000 fine before the match. He will then be allowed to sit on the bench. Nkono`s appeal was still being heard late today.
With Schaefer on the bench and Mboma on the field, most experts favour a Cameroonian win, with The Indomitable Lions roaring the loudest on Sunday.
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