ACTUALITE |
30.01.2002
Lions look unstoppable
Group C: Cameroon 3 - 1 Togo
Cameroon have thrown down the gauntlet at the Nations Cup and shown that it is not going to be easy for any side to take their title.
They totally dominated Togo in Sikasso with a performance that oozed quality and authority.
The Togolese needed a win to assure qualification for the quarter-finals, and gambled with the inclusion of Abdelkader Coubadja, who has been out of action for eight months.
However the Parma striker wasted his side`s best chances in the opening 15 minutes and after that Cameroon took total control.
The game at one stage looked as if it was heading for another goalless draw, and at half-time there was no score.
But Cameroon stepped up a gear when play resumed, and Lucien Metomo was on the end of a slick move to score from close range seven minutes after the break.
The goal gave Cameroon the platform they needed to relax.
Hope crumbled
At the last Nations Cup Togo were the only side to beat the Indomitable Lions, something the champions admit was at the back of their minds.
Cameroon`s Rigobert Song says the goal silenced the Togolese supporters taunts, and set them on their way to a convincing victory.
"We finished with nine points, the first time we`ve done that in a competition. Everybody is happy because when we came here everybody`s ambition was to win every game."
Togo knew that if they could get a draw, they still had a chance of qualifying.
But as the players got news of the DR Congo going 2-0 up against Ivory Coast, their heads went down.
"We were being kept informed of the score in Sikasso while we were playing, and after DR Congo scored their second it was difficult to keep morale up", said Togo defender Eric Akoto.
It soon got worse for Togo.
With 15 minutes remaining and with the flag down, Mboma unselfishly played Samuel Eto Fils for his first goal of the tournament.
And Salomon Olembe struck just before time to rout and confirm Togo`s exit.
Cameroon look to be building an unstoppable momentum.
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Hits: 1 | Source:BBC | |
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