Africa Cup of Nations semi-final, Stade de Franceville – Cameroon 2 (Ngadeu-Ngadjui 72, Bassogog 90+3) Ghana 0
Source: eurosport
Cameroon extended Ghana’s 35 years of hurt at the Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-0 win in the semi-final to set up a showdown with Egypt.
Hugo Broos’ side, who have been the surprises of the tournament, did not look over-awed by their star-studded opposition and took the charge to them early on.
They failed to find the breakthrough in the first half, but a mistake from John Boye and under-fire goalkeeper Brimah Razak saw Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui slam home from a corner after the break.
Ghana threw on record-scorer Asamoah Gyan for his 100th cap but he was unable to get the equaliser and Christian Bassogog scored the second on the counter-attack in the dying seconds.
TALKING POINT
This young team is on the verge of something special. This really wasn’t in the script. Cameroon weren’t supposed to get out of the group stages, they weren’t supposed to beat Senegal, and they really weren’t supposed to beat Ghana. Without so many of their big names, and the negative headlines surrounding the withdrawal of Joel Matip in particular this team weren’t fancied but Hugo Broos has achieved something remarkable. He has got the best out of the captain Benjamin Moukandjo and together they have led this young and relatively inexperienced team into the final.
Cameroon’s Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui celebrates scoring their first goalReuters
MAN OF THE MATCH
Adolphe Teikeu (Cameroon): Cameroon’s biggest strength is their team ethic and that was evident in this match more so than ever. Fabrice Ondoa had to make a couple of smart stops, Moukandjo was tireless and Bassogog was a box of tricks, taking his goal well, but Teikeu was the star. He nearly opened the scoring from a corner and although his partner scored the opener eventually it was Teikeu who was always getting his body in the way or heading a clearance away. They’ve only conceded two goals in this tournament and Teikeu will be key in the final.
PLAYER RATINGS
Cameroon: Ondoa 7, Fai 5, Ngadeu-Ngadjui 8, Teikeu 8, Oyongo 6, Sutchuin 5, Siani 5, Moukandjo 7, Zoua 6, Bassogog 8, Ndip Tambe 5. Subs: Aboubakar 5, Mandjeck 5.
Ghana: Razak 5, Acheampong 4, Amartey 5, Boye 4, Afful 6, Acquah 5, Wakaso 5, Partey 5, A. Ayew 6, J.Ayew 5, Atsu 6. Subs: Gyan 5, Badu 5.
Cameroon’s Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui celebrates scoring their first goalReuters
KEY MOMENTS
8′ – OFF THE LINE! It’s an excellent corner and it is flicked towards the near post by Teiku but Afful does well on the line to get it away.
12′ – SAVE! Razak passes his first test. A better cross is sent in from the left and Tambe takes it first time. It’s low and straigt at the keeper but he does really well to block it.
41′ – CHANCE! Jordan Ayew makes a great run and is found by an equally good ball from Atsu, he drags his shot just wide though.
61′ – SAVE! It is a shot and it’s really good from Wakaso, he gets a lot of bend on it, and although it’s possibly going wide Ondoa isn’t to know and he does really well to save and Cameroon clear the corner.
72′ – GOAL! Cameroon 1-0 Ghana. What a calamity in the Ghana defence! The ball in sees John Boye catch Razak out by heading the ball into the path of Ngadeu-Ngadjui. He takes a touch and lashes it into the top corner. What a finish!
90+3′ – GOAL! Cameroon 2-0 Ghana. Cameroon are through to the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations! They break from a rubbish free-kick from Wakaso and Bassogog is played through. It looks like his touch is too heavy but he pokes the ball past Razak.
KEY STATS
Egypt have played Cameroon in two Africa Cup of Nations finals before (1986, 2008), they have won both.
Egypt have conceded just one goal in the tournament, Cameroon just two.
