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| Cameroon's last-gasp win ends a 15-year wait for another continental crown |
Cameroon came from behind to beat Egypt 2-1 and seal a fifth Africa Cup of Nations in a thrilling, edgy final.
Substitute
Vincent Aboubakar swept in the winner two minutes from time, flicking
the ball over defender Ali Gabr and thumping it home.
Nicolas Nkoulou had earlier equalised for Cameroon, rising highest to power in a header on the hour mark.
The equaliser cancelled out Mohamed Elneny's opener on 22 minutes with a beautifully taken near-post strike.
The wild celebrations for Aboubakar's winner announced Cameroon's return to the continental summit, after a wait of 15 years.
It
also makes them the second most successful nation in the competition's
history - behind Egypt - and marks the first time they have beaten the
Pharoahs in the final in three attempts.
Besiktas striker
Aboubakar ran towards the triumphant Cameroon fans in the Stade de
l'Amitie stands in Libreville to celebrate, pursued by delirious
teammates and coaching staff.
Underdogs Cameroon had already upset the odds to reach the final and stunned the much-fancied Egyptians with the late dramatic strike, after fellow substitute Nkoulou had drawn them level.
Despite
being beset by pre-tournament problems, including the withdrawal of key
players such as Joel Matip and Eric Chuopo-Moting, coach Hugo Broos
managed to assemble a squad that got their reward for being strong,
adaptable and resilient in equal measure throughout.
The Pharaohs -
bidding for an eighth title after seven years in the international
wilderness - started comfortably and Elneny's opening strike capped a
wonderful fluent move down the right.
The Gunners midfielder
started the move and finished it, after receiving the ball from Mohamed
Salah in the box and sweeping it past Fabrice Ondoa into the roof of the
net at the near post.
But Egypt invited the Indomitable Lions to come at them in the second half and they paid a heavy price.
The
excellent Cameroon forward Benjamin Moukandjo whipped in an excellent,
menacing cross and substitute Nkoulou muscled his way through the
Egyptian defence to beat Ahmed Hegazy to the ball and bury it past
44-year-old Essam El Hadary in the Egyptian goal.
The contest
developed into a fascinating cagey final, with Cameroon, inspired by the
excellent Christian Bassogog and Jacques Zoua up front, pinning Egypt
back and limiting them to long balls to Salah and substitute Ramadan
Sobhi.
Fatigue soon set in in the Egyptian ranks and Cameroon got
their ultimate reward for increasing the pressure on the experienced
Egyptian defence.
Aboubakar
controlled a long ball forward with his chest at the edge of the box,
flicked it over the stranded Gabr, before gathering, taking a step and
smashing home off his right foot for a fitting winner.
The Egyptians - featuring the tournament's oldest and most experienced player - El Hadary, were left stunned after looking comfortable for much of the first half.
As
they had done for much of the tournament, Egypt relied on a
well-marshalled defence, led by Ahmed Hegazy, Gabr and Hull City's Ahmed
Elmohamady. They also had the formidable Elneny and Salah leading the
line.
The Pharaohs more than played their part in an entertaining
final, but it was Cameroon's energy that would light up the occasion
and provide a thrilling end to a thoroughly entertaining tournament for
the near-capacity crowd of more than 38,000 in the Gabonese capital.
Belgian coach Broos reflected the unity in his squad's ranks, as he celebrated the first Nations Cup title of his career.
"I am happy for the players," he said. "This is not a group of football players, they are a group of friends."
Egypt
coach Hector Cuper was left to dwell on another defeat in a major
final, having lost two European Champions League finals with Spanish
club Valencia.
"The sadness I have is not because I lost another final," he said.
"It's
because there was so much hope especially among the people in Egypt and
I am sorry for the players who put in so much effort."
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