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Cameroon close on Ivory Coast (04.06.2005)
Cameroon took advantage of the Ivory Coast slip-up on Friday, as they beat Benin 4-1 in Cotonou on Saturday in Group Five of 2006 World Cup qualifiers.
The home side started well dominating the early exchanges but Cameroon took over and grabbed the opener in the 21st minute through a Rigobert Song header.
Benin missed on an opportunity to bring the game level as France-based Abou Maiga failed to convert a penalty after he was brought down Cameroon goalkeeper Souleymanou Hamidou.
Spain-based Achille Webo headed home the second goal of the game in the 52nd minute after capitalising on a mix-up in the Benin defence to put the Indomitable Lions in control.
Midway through the second half, the visitors put the game beyond doubt as England-based Geremi Njitap scored the third goal from the goal area.
African Footballer of the Year, Samuel Eto`o, scored the fourth goal in the 68th after converting a penalty when substitute Jean Makoun was brought down in the penalty area.
Coffi Agbessi grabbed a consolation for the home side with two minutes remaining through a free kick.
Cameroon close the gap on the Ivory Coast to just two points.
The result almost certainly rules Benin out of even reaching the Nations Cup in Egypt next year.
The Ivory Coast`s World Cup hopes took a knock as they could manage only a goalless draw away to Libya in Tripoli.
The Elephants dominated the play, but found it difficult to break down Libya`s packed defence until the later stages of the game.
When they did create chances, the Ivorians snatched at them - Didier Drogba twice came close, as did Siaka Tiene and Aruna Dindane.
However, the draw maintains their lead in Group Three of the 2006 qualifiers.
Libya made the better start to the game, but proved reluctant to push many players into the Ivorian penalty area.
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The North Africans have yet to lose at home in this qualifying campaign, and they should have got a dream start 15 minutes in, but Walid Osman screwed his shot wide.
After that, the visitors took over the game, and Drogba twice came close to scoring a spectacular goal.
On both occasions the Chelsea striker knocked the ball to himself before launching an acrobatic overhead kick.
The first effort flew over, and the second was hit straight at the goalkeeper.
Ivory Coast increased their domination in the second half, with the Libyans reduced to occasional counter attacks.
Drogba missed a fine chance halfway through the second period, heading over from the enterprising right-back Marc Zoro`s precise cross.
In the final minutes the Elephants wasted two further great opportunities to snatch a precious away win.
First, midfielder Tiene ruined one of Ivory Coast`s few truly impressive moves with an awful finish.
Then Dindane pushed the ball past the goalkeeper, but could not catch up with it before it rolled out of play for a goal-kick.
In the other match in the group on Sunday, bottom-placed Sudan face Egypt who seemingly have little to play for.
The Pharaohs, who qualify for the 2006 Cup of Nations as hosts, appear to be out of the running for Germany, as they are five points adrift of the group leaders.
Nonetheless, Germany-based striker Mohammed Zidan looks set to end the speculation over his international football career after he played for Egypt in their 1-0 victory of Kuwait in a friendly last week.
The 23-year-old, who plays for Werder Bremen, has decided to play for the Pharaohs after he failed to acquire a Danish passport to represent Denmark where he has lived for four years.
Zidan will be a replacement for striker Ahmed Mido Hossam has been ruled out for injury.
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