ACTUALITE |
08.02.2002
Indomitable Lions reach final
Mali 0 v 3 Cameroon Full-time
Olembe 39
Olembe 45
Foe 84
Kickoff: 19:00(GMT)
Mali: Bagayoko , Coulibaly , Coulibaly , Diakità , Diarra , Diarra , Diawara , Keita , Sidibe , Sidibe , Toure
Subs not used:
Bookings:
Cameroon: Alioum , Kalla , Song , Wome , Tchato , Etame , Olembe , Eto`o , Ndiefi , Foe , Geremi
Subs not used:
Bookings:
Two goals by Salomon Olembe set Cameroon on their way to a 3-0 victory over Mali to reach a second African Nations Cup final in succession.
The Marseille midfielder scored twice in five minutes shortly before half-time to give the defending champions a comfortable two-goal cushion and a chance to become the first country since Ghana in 1965 to successfully defend the African title. Both goals in the first half were set-up by Pius Ndifie.
Marc Vivien Foe added a third seven minutes from time when he went around the Malian goalkeeper to put the game beyond reach.
A capacity crowd of 60,000 in the March 26 Stadium in Bamako were hoping for another upset by the hosts, but even though they were not overwhelmed in the match, their opponents proved far too strong for them.
There was controversy before the match as Cameroon`s coach Winfried Schäfer and his assistant Thomas Nkono were involved in an altercation with Malian soldiers after inspecting the pitch.
The soldiers handcuffed and beat Nkono before they could retreat to their changing-room.
Captain Rigobert Song said that the incident had just made the team more resolute to win.
"It is not often that you can see a coach come into the changing-room and cry, but this is what happened. After seeing this, we were very determined to go out there and win."
Once the match started, Cameroon were a constant menace in the Malian half. This even though they were playing without injured scoring inspiration Patrick Mboma.
The Indomitable Lions had more of the play in the first half and it seemed only a matter of time that they were going to break the deadlock. They finally managed to score the opener in the 39th minute through Olembe, who received a pass in the six-yard box from Pius Ndiefi, who had gone around his marker and pulled the ball back.
The same pair combined five minutes later to give Olembe his second goal on the day.
In the second half, Cameroon continued to have the run of play and came close midway through the half when a fierce shot by Samuel Eto`o crashed against the crossbar. Lauren also saw his second-half effort hit the upright.
Song praised the opponents after the match and commented: "Mali are a very good side. I think that on the day, they were beaten by a better side, but they do not have to hang their head about their performance in the tournament."
Looking forward to the final against Senegal, the Cologne defender said that he expected it to be a physical match, as both sides played a physical game. "It will not be easy, but I hope that we can do it," he added.
Senegal, first-time World Cup contestants this summer, continued their footballing fairy tale when they qualified for their first-ever African Nations Cup final by beating Nigeria 2-1 after extra time.
|
|
Hits: 1 | Source:Teamtalk | |
|
|
|
|
| |