ACTUALITE |
21.01.2002
Mboma strikes as Cameroon make fashion statement
SIKASSO
Cameroon set a new trend in football fashion as they overcame the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0 on Sunday in the opening African Nations Cup Group C match.
The defending champions opted for sleeve-less vest-like shirts to combat the stifling heat in this south-west town, and collected maximum points thanks to a superb 40th-minute goal from Patrick Mboma.
Picking up a short pass midway inside the Congolese half, he sprinted across the field watched by four seemingly mesmerised defenders before unleashing a thunderbolt.
Goalkeeper Nkombe Tokala never stood a chance as the ball flew over him into the roof of the net to the delight of a large Cameroon following in the 15,000-seat stadium.
It was a goal worthy of winning an African Nations Cup final, never mind a mini-league match in this football outpost near the borders with Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast.
Mboma, who has battled to make the first team with Italian Serie A club Parma this season, should have added a second soon after, but poor control denied him a shot off a Lauren Mayer cross.
Cameroon, who won the title two years ago with a penalty shootout success over co-hosts Nigeria in Lagos, rarely moved out of second gear against hard-working but unimaginative opponents.
But the Congolese did better than expected given preparations that did not include even one warm-up match, and a dispute between a football federation official and the sports minister that almost led the team to be barred.
A cosmopolitan strike force of Shabani Nonda from France, Jason Mayele from Italy and Tresor `Lua Lua` Lamana from England did create a few half chances without seriously worrying goalkeeper Alioum Boukar.
Ivory Coast, expected to finish second behind Cameroon in the pool and join the Indomitable Lions in the knockout phase, begin their campaign against outsiders Togo at the same venue Monday.
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Hits: 1 | Source:Dailysoccer | |
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