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Olympic Lions Disappoint Fans (15.03.2004)
They were held to a one all tie by the under-23 squad of the Democratic Republic of Congo yesterday in Yaounde.
The Indomitable Lions yesterday, at the Yaounde Omnisport stadium, lost a golden opportunity to qualify for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. The team, which needed a win to sail through to the Olympics to defend the crown they won in Sydney in 2000, was held to a one all tie by the Simbas of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the same team it thrashed 4 — 1 during the away leg on October 26, 2003. Cameroon will therefore have to battle it out with Mali for the lone Olympic ticket of Group B during the sixth and last playing day of the qualifiers. The Lions, who are still heading Group B with 11 points, will need at least a draw to qualify as Mali presently has nine points.
The squad that defended Cameroon’s national colours yesterday failed to impress their fans. The absence of key players such as Marcus Mokake, Daniel Wansi, Eto’o Fils and Djemba Djemba, was highly felt. The attack line was weak. It lacked the necessary finishing. The defence on the other hand was shaky. During the first half, captain Abada Narcisse Fish and his mates created several scoring opportunities but failed to drive the ball into goalkeeper Nkela Nkatu’s net. It was the Democratic Republic of Congo, which trailed behind Cameroon for the greater part of the first half, that sent home the curtain raiser. The goal by Nseke Sasa at the 44th minute left the thousands of Cameroonians who turned up to watch the encounter bewildered. The half time was therefore a moment of lamentation for
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Cameroonians as each spectator sought to identify the weaknesses of coach Jean Paul Akono’s choices.
It was therefore not surprising when the some major changes were made on the attack line of the Lions at the start of the second half. Effa Owona Emmanuel and Ze Francis were replaced by Tchami Joël and Ngon à Mamoun. The changes paid off at the 57th minute when Ngon à Mamoun made a decisive pass which ended up with Cameroon’s equaliser. The goal by Job Iyock Thomas brought back smiles to the faces of Cameroonians who were already giving up. Congolese Coach, Muntubile Santos, was swift to make adjustments. He brought in Mbala Mbuta to replace Makabu Nehemie who was running out of breath. The move paid off as Mbala Mbatu brought steam to the Congolese side and kept goalkeeper Tignyemb Amour Patrick on his toes. All efforts by Cameroon to increase the goal tally failed. The players continued to blunder at the frontline, making blind passes and untargeted kicks at the poll. Not even the replacement of Ngal Serge by Njanke Achille at the 65th minute could make any difference. The score board at the end of the match read, Cameroon 1 DRC 1. Captain Abada Narcisse expressed disappointment at the result, while coach Jean Paul Akono remained tight-lipped.
The draw was highly celebrated by the Congolese. Their joy was understandable. In effect, yesterday’s point was the first for the Simbas, after five matches in the Olympic qualifying series. Although they were already eliminated from the race to Athens, they succeeded to restore their nation’s pride by humbling the Lions at home.
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