No one in the football betting world expected Cameroon to end up as the final nation standing in the Africa Cup of Nations.
The betting odds favoured at least five countries ahead of the Indomitable Lions; some of the country’s top players didn’t suit up as they didn’t see any point in playing in this star-studded tournament.
However, Hugo Broos, his select squad and the avid supporters that were relentless on their football bets believed in what they had. It ended on a high as the Cameroonians win the cup for the first time in fifteen years.
Egypt 1-2 Cameroon
Broos saw what Hector Cuper and Egypt were capable of if they extend the game past regulation, so it was important that his Lions finish off the Pharaohs in regulation. Cameroon held the football for two-thirds of the entire game. They also had a lot more shots than the Egyptians, with their 11 attempts easily dwarfing Egypt’s three.
However, it was the Pharaohs who struck first blood: a right-sided drive ended with Arsenal’s Mohamed Elneny beating Fabrice Ondoa with a near-post score in the 22nd minute. The terrific strike comfortably puts Egypt in the front seat, leading the game for the remainder of the first half.
It was then that Broos made what could be seen as the most important changes in his managerial career. Nicolas N’Koulou was subbed in the middle of the first half, while Vincent Aboubakar entered the pitch in the second half.
N’Koulou mounted the comeback in the fifty-ninth minute when a Benjamin Moukandjo delivered a fine cross straight to N’Koulou’s head to equalise for the Lions. There wasn’t much significant action afterwards until it was late in the game.
Sebastien Siani delivered a crisp long pass straight to Aboubakar, who was in the midst of three red Egyptian shirts. He chested the ball, got it over Ali Gabr with a beautiful lob, and smashed the ball to the goal. Essam El Hadary, the hero in Egypt’s semi-final, could do nothing but watch the ball go in.
It was a memorable day in Cameroon football, as a young side that had a lot of points to improve upon were the best team in the entire continent. The Cameroon players who dodged this tournament could only sit on their hands, thinking what could have been if they suited up.
Broos understands that the players who declined the call-up had their reasons, but he has the last laugh. You can hear the delight in his words: “There was a lot of trouble before, players who wouldn’t come with us. OK, it’s their decision. But maybe they are saying now to themselves, ‘S***! Why didn’t I go with them?’”
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