ACTUALITE |
04.02.2002
Cameroon eye semi-final berth but jury still out on Senegal
BAMAKO
Cameroon`s quest to become the first country to retain the African Nations Cup in 37 years moves into quarter-final territory on Monday when the `Indomitable Lions` take on Egypt in the last eight.
Not since Ghana sealed back-to-back Nations Cup victories in 1963 and 1965 has a side successfully defended the African title, underscoring the difficulty of Cameroon`s task.
But with maximum points from their three Group C games, German coach Winfried Schafer`s team have shown that if any side in recent years is capable of a repeat triumph it is the 2002 Cameroon vintage.
Ominously, the World Cup qualifiers completed their first phase campaign with arguably the most polished performance of the tournament to date, overwhelming Togo 3-0.
With 2001 African player of the year Patrick Mboma in goalscoring form, and with one of the favourites to succeed him, Samuel Eto`o, also opening his account last week, Cameroon have a lethal strikeforce.
That attacking partnership will be attempting to pierce one of the meanest defences in African football, when they face the Egyptians in Sikasso, 375km outside the Malian capital.
Egypt have recovered well from the disappointment of losing their opening Group D match to Senegal, registering wins over Tunisia and Zambia to take the runners-up spot.
So far Egypt`s problems have not been in defence but in attack, where they have failed to pose a threat for long periods.
However with veteran striker Hossam Hassan making his first appearance of the competition in the 2-1 win over Zambia last week, there were signs that Egypt are finally gelling.
Kaiserslautern`s Hany Ramzy is expected to be fit for Monday`s game, joining the impressive Cairo-based Hazem Emam in midfield.
The winner of the Cameroon-Egypt clash faces a semi-final with either South Africa or Mali, who are due to meet on Sunday.
In Monday`s other quarter-final, tournament dark horses Senegal hope fortune will continue to smile on them when they face the Democratic Republic of Congo in Bamako.
Senegal, the revelation of African football last year and billed as the continent`s rising force, have had a patchy tournament so far despite winning Group D.
While their opening two matches against Egypt and Zambia ended in 1-0 victories, the wins were only achieved with late goals in the dying minutes.
African footballer of the year candidate and striker Al-Hadji Diouf is still struggling to find his feet, failing to light up the tournament as expected as the Senegalese appear to have been affected by nerves.
A largely second string side drew with Tunisia 0-0 in Kayes last week, but the `Teranga Lions` should prove to strong for the Congolese, who booked their place in the second phase with a surpising 3-1 win over Ivory Coast.
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