Football | Cameroon champion of Africa again, denies Egypt 8th title

Cameroon rose again after years of underachievement to win the African Cup of Nations title with a fabulous goal in the 89th minute of the final for a 2-1 come-from-behind victory against mighty Egypt.

As the final whistle got nearer, substitute Vincent Aboubakar controlled the ball just outside the area, clipped it over a defender, and then shot past the goalkeeper to clinch Cameroon’s fifth African title and first since 2002.

Egypt’s 44-year-old ‘keeper, Essam el-Hadary, watched the tournament- winning shot slide past him right at the end to deny the Egyptians a record-extending eighth title, and el-Hadary a fifth triumph an incredible 19 years after his first.

“I cannot describe it. I know it was a wonderful goal. It was a great goal. It was the goal that gave us victory,” said Cameroon striker Robert Tambe, the player who was taken off to make way for Aboubakar. “We feel so much joy. We say thanks to Aboubakar.”

Egypt led through Mohamed el-Neny’s goal in the 22nd minute but Cameroon’s substitutes came to the rescue at Stade de l’Amitie as defender Nicolas Nkoulou, off the bench early after an injury to Adolphe Teikeu, equalized with a header in the 60th minute.

Aboubakar, the halftime super sub, completed the rally. Cameroon, already chosen to host the next Cup of Nations, will be defending champion for the 2019 tournament. AP