By Samindra Kunti
February 6 – Cameroon defeated Egypt 2-1 in the final of the African Cup of Nations to win the tournament for a fifth time. Vincent Aboubakar scored the winning goal in the 88th minute.
Egypt had been the favorites going into the final of the 2017 African Cup of Nations and they took the lead through a goal from Arsenal’s Mohamed Elneny in the 22nd minute. The seven time winners were on course for another tournament win until Nicolas Nkolou equalized for Cameroon, powering in a header on the hour mark.
Substitute Aboubakar swept in the decisive goal with two minutes remaining to stun the much-fancied Egyptians. He flicked the ball over Egyptian defender Ali Gabr and thumped it home. In celebration he ran towards the Cameroonian fans, pursued by his delirious team-mates and coaching staff.
Before the tournament this Cameroon squad had been dubbed as the worst ever. Eight players, including Liverpool’s Joel Matip, withdrew from the squad, and coach Hugo Broos dropped a number of senior players. His young and inexperienced team, however, showed much resilience to progress from the group stages, eliminate tournament favorites Senegal in the quarter-finals and overcome Egypt in the final.
With their fifth title Cameroon are the second most successful nation in the competition’s history behind Egypt. The Indomitable Lions had not won the African Cup of Nations since 2002 when they won the final on penalties against Senegal with a team that included Samuel Eto’o, Rigobert Song, Geremi and the late Marc-Vivien Foé.
“I am happy for the players,” said Cameroon coach Hugo Broos, who celebrated his first African Cup of Nations title. “This is not a group of football players, they are a group of friends.”
Egypt coach Hector Cuper was left to contemplate 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,” said Cuper. “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.”
Cameroon won $4 million in prize money with the victory. They also earned the right to represent Africa at the Confederations Cup in Russia in June. They will play Germany, Australia and Cameroon in group B.
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