ACTUALITE |
30.01.2002
Champions Cameroon make it three out of three
SIKASSO
Defending champions Cameroon preserved their 100 percent record at the African Nations Cup here Tuesday with a 3-0 win over Togo in their final Group C match.
The `Indomitable Lions`, who had already won the group after taking maximum points in the first two games, made it three wins out of three thanks to second-half goals from Lucien Mettomo, Samuel Eto`o and Salomon Olembe.
The first came on 52 minutes. A lovely cross by Geremi Njitap was swept in from the right flank, and Manchester City defender Mettomo arrived on the back post to sidefoot home on the half volley.
Real Mallorca`s African Player of the Year candidate Samuel Eto`o made sure of Cameroon`s third win at the Babemba Traore Stadium 10 minutes from time, tapping in a Patrick Mboma pass for an easy finish.
The last came on 89 minutes when Marseille midfielder Olembe, a second-half substitute, met a cross from Eto`o on the right with a crisp finish from six yards.
Cameroon will meet the second-placed side from Group D, expected to be either Egypt or Zambia, in next Monday`s quarter-finals.
The Democratic Republic of Congo, leading 2-0 against Ivory Coast in Monday`s other Group C match as play stopped in Sikasso, should join Cameroon in the last eight.
The Togo `Hawks`, who had needed a win to reach the quarter-finals, paid the price for failing to convert some promising early openings as Cameroon started slowly.
Togo faded badly after the break, one of their most notable attempts being a Pele-style attempt to lob the opposing goalkeeper from inside his own half by Eric Akoto.
A dour first half had ended goalless, though Togo were left kicking themselves after wasting a glorious opportunity to take the lead.
Dodji Dogbe outstripped Cameroon skipper Rigobert Song and burst into the penalty area. The forward`s shot was well-saved by Alioum Boukar but fell invitingly to Kader Coubadja following up.
Yet with the goal open wide and Boukar nowhere, Coubadja somehow managed to hammer his volley from six yards over the bar, squandering a gift-wrapped scoring chance.
Cameroon were subdued, only mustering a handful of attempts on goal in the first 45 minutes.
They did get the ball in the back of the net midway through the opening period, former West Ham defender Marc Vivien Foe heading in a Njitap corner only for it to be disallowed after Eto`o was adjudged to have fouled Kossi.
Cameroon had another promising chance just on half-time when Montpellier defender Bill Tchato swung a long cross-field ball for Eto`o who connected well but failed to control his volley, sending it over the bar.
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