ACTUALITE |
26.01.2002
Mboma rescues Cameroon
Cameroon 1-0 Ivory Coast
Patrick Mboma struck late in the game against Ivory Coast to send defending champions Cameroon into the quarter-finals of the Nations Cup in Mali.
The Parma striker, who scored arguably the best goal of the tournament in Sunday`s 1-0 win over DR Congo, headed home a corner from Geremi Njitap with only five minutes of the match remaining.
The goal was hard on the Ivorians, who had until that point done enough to deserve a shock victory, outplaying the Indomitable Lions and creating several chances.
They were denied by their own wastefulness in front of goal and an outstanding save by Cameroon`s Boukar Alioum.
The Turkish-based goalkeeper brilliantly turned away a header from Ivorian midfielder Aliou Siby Badara from point-blank range in the 75th minute before watching the same player head the rebound over the crossbar.
Cameroon top group C with a maximum six points from two games and have not conceded a goal.
Ivory Coast have one point and have yet to score. Togo, who have a point, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, who are still to break their duck, meet on Saturday.
Cameroon created some good early chances in a lively start.
Confidence
Midfielder Marc-Vivien Foe twice went close with headers from corners, then Samuel Eto`o shot into the side-netting from the edge of the penalty area after the Ivorian defence carelessly gave the ball away.
But the Elephants grew in confidence towards half-time and several good moves down the right had the Cameroon defence in trouble.
Abdelkader Keita wasted the best chance when he dribbled his way into the penalty area but then dived for a spot-kick instead of shooting and was booked.
Shortly afterwards, Keitas got to the by-line but Alioum saved his low cross, while Habid Toure ended another good move down the right by pulling his cross back behind two forwards.
The Elephants continued to dominate after the break.
Keita again reached the byline and pulled the ball back, but this time Tchiressoa Guel shot tamely wide.
Then Marseille`s Ibrahima Bakayoko, who had a quiet game, shot on the turn from close range, but the effort lacked power and Alioum saved again.
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Hits: 1 | Source:BBC | |
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