ACTUALITE |
03.07.2003
Confederations Cup: France win but dedicate trophy to Foe
By Gerald Ndikum in Yaounde
Cameroon have failed to win the sixth edition of the Confederations Cup but France which won the trophy have still dedicated it to Marc-Vivien Foe, Cameroon’s midfielder who died on the battlefield in defence of the trophy.
A 97th minute monumental error by Captain Song Bahanag provided Frenchman Thierry Henry the opportunity to score the golden goal of the match which was in fact dominated by Cameroon.
But what was most relieving to Cameroonians was the fact that the French dedicated the trophy to Foe who for the most part of his professional career played in French division one sides Lens and Lyon.
The match witnessed a dominance by Cameroon but its attackers failed to exploit scoring chances in the course of the 90 minutes of play.
Time and again Ndiefi, Idrissou and Mbami failed to concretize moves by the Cameroonian attack. Not even the replacement of Ndiefi by Eto’o Fils could swing things in favour of Cameroon. Convalescing from Saturday’s Cup of Spain, Eto’o who replaced Ndiefi could not make the difference.
Idrissou who was marvelous upfront failed to concretize a few golden opportunities created by Njitap upfront.
Cameroon who emerged runners-up in the competition will get a little over 1 billion FCFA, while winners, France will get over 1.5 billion FCFA. But the purpose of the trophy was achieved. France which won it has dedicated it in memory of Foe whose corpse removal will take place at the weekend.
The match itself was dedicated to Foe who for the better part of his professional career played in France. Under the watchful eyes of his wife, his effigy was paraded into the Stade de France by both finalists in the presence of FIFA president, Sepp Blatter; CAF president, Issa Hayatou; and FECAFOOT president, Iya Mohamed. Pele was on hand to give solace to Roger Milla, roving ambassador and the wife of the departed Foe who was in tears throughout the match.
There were a few peculiarities of the match. All Cameroonian players sported white with a black band on their hands, while all the reserve players wore the No. 17 shirt of Foe. Both finalists held the portrait of Foe to the stadium. The match itself was a very clean one with fouls minimized, an indication that fair play was respected.
Another aspect of fair play was that players of both teams hugged themselves and exchanged jerseys although it was the French team that won.
Cameroon becomes the first African country to arrive the finals of a major FIFA competition.
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