Senegal falls

Cameroon wins Nations Cup on penalty shootout

BAMAKO (Reuters) -- Cameroon retained the African Nations Cup with a dramatic 3-2 penalty shootout win against Senegal after the match had ended in a scoreless draw at the end of extra-time on Sunday.

Goalkeeper Boukar Alioum saved two penalties to give Cameroon a shootout victory for the second successive final as they became the first country in 27 years to retain the trophy.

Cameroon, who had not conceded a goal in their six matches at the tournament, dominated on Sunday against a Senegal team making their first appearance in the final.

German efficiency Cameroon, famous for maverick strikers like Roger Milla and in-fighting among officials, showed a different side to their character on Sunday as they won their fourth African Nations Cup with German-style efficiency. The Indomitable Lions, who beat Senegal on penalties to retain the title they won in Nigeria and Ghana two years ago, still possess the exuberant swagger that delighted the world in 1990 when they became the first African team to reach a World Cup quarterfinal. FULL STORY

Senegal had the early advantage in the shootout after Pierre Wome's opening kick for Cameroon was saved by goalkeeper Tony Sylva.

But Alioum's save from Amdy Faye and a miss by El Hadj Ousseynou Diouf saw the odds swing in favour of the defending champions.

Captain Rigobert Song could have given Cameroon a 4-2 win in the shootout with his team's final penalty kick but his shot was saved by Sylva.

It was Song who scored the winner from the spot two years ago when Cameroon beat Nigeria 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the 2000 Nations Cup final in Lagos.

This time Alioum was the hero as he saved from Senegal captain Aliou Cisse to guarantee another trip to the winners podium for the Indomitable Lions.

Tight encounter

The match was a tight encounter watching by a crowd overflowing the 50,000 capacity of Bamako's new March 2nd stadium.

Senegal came close to a dream start after just four minutes when a quick ball over the top of Cameroon's defense saw Diouf touch it back to Henri Camara, who shaved the bar from close range.

Cameroon's back four were caught out again in similar fashion in the 17th minute with Camara running onto the pass and forcing a fine save from Cameroon goalkeeper Boukar Alioum.

Cameroon countered soon after as Samuel Eto'o slipped two tackles before squaring to Pius Ndiefi but he wasted the chance by firing wide.

Cameroonians celebrate Thousands of soccer fans poured into the streets singing, dancing and waving flags to celebrate Cameroon's fourth African Cup of Nations title Sunday. Cars -- with revelers piled onto the roofs and hanging out the windows -- sped through the capital, Yaounde, to the cheers and whistles of onlookers. They packed Yaounde's bars and nightclubs. FULL STORY

The defending champions dominated down the right-hand side with Eto'o and Lauren regularly easing past Senegal's left back Omar Daf.

Eto'o had a strong shot saved on the half hour and then a goal disallowed after Senegal goalkeeper Tony Sylva was pushed by Ndiefi attempting to cut out a Cameroon corner.

Sylva was forced into a brave save just before the interval, rushing out to stop the ball at the feet of Eto'o, who had profited from another quick pass from the right.

The supply route dried up in the second half after Moussa Ndiaye came on as substitute to strengthen Senegal's left-hand side of defence.

Penalty claim

But Cameroon managed to create two more good chances, both for Ndiefi, who looked to have a legitimate penalty claim after a clumsy challenge by Senegal captain Cisse 10 minutes into the second half. Egyptian referee Gamal Al Ghandour waved play on.

In the 71st minute, Eto'o's header put Ndiefi clear of his marker and he beat the goalkeeper from a tight angle only to see the ball bounce back off the upright.

Senegal, with just Diouf up front, relied on rare counter attacks, their best chance coming 10 minutes from time when Khalilou Fadiga had a clear sight of goal but hesitated, allowing Salomon Olembe to make a strong covering tackle.

As both teams tired in extra-time, Cameroon could have broken the deadlock when Wome whipped in a perfect cross from the left but the unmarked Ndiefi headed wide at the back post.

Just seconds before the final whistle, Sylva came to Senegal's rescue with a quick dash off his line to thwart Eto'o as Cameroon came close to snatching a dramatic victory. Instead, they had to rely on penalties to keep hold of the trophy.

Summary

Cameroon 0 Senegal 0 - after extra time (Cameroon won 3-2 on penalties)

African Nations Cup final

Attendance: 50,000

Teams:

Cameroon: 1-Boukar Alioum; 2-Bill Tchato, 4-Rigobert Song, 5-Raymond Kalla, 8-Geremi; 3-Pierre Wome, 12-Lauren, 17-Marc-Vivien Foe, 20-Salomon Olembe; 9-Samuel Eto'o, 11-Pius Ndiefi (19-Patrick Suffo, 105)

Senegal: 1-Tony Sylva; 2-Omar Daf, 6-Aliou Cisse, 13-Lamine Diatta, 17-Ferdinand Coly; 15-Salif Diao, 19-Pape Bouba Diop (12-Amdy Faye, 91), 22-Makhtar Ndiaye (14-Moussa Ndiaye, 46), 10-Khalilou Fadiga; 7-Henri Camara (9-Souleymane Camara, 106), 11-El Hadj Ousseynou Diouf

Referee: Gamal Al Ghandour (Egypt)

 
    Penalty sequence:                  Cameroon - Senegal
   3-Pierre Wome (Cameroon)    missed       0   -   0  
  17-Ferdinand Coly (Senegal)  scored       0   -   1  
  19-Patrick Suffo (Cameroon)  scored       1   -   1  
  10-Khalilou Fadiga (Senegal) scored       1   -   2  
  12-Lauren (Cameroon)         scored       2   -   2  
  12-Amdy Faye (Senegal)       missed       2   -   2  
   8-Geremi (Cameroon)         scored       3   -   2  
  11-El Hadj Ouseynou Diouf
               (Senegal)       missed       3   -   2  
   4-Rigobert Song (Cameroon)  missed       3   -   2  
   6-Aliou Cisse (Senegal)     missed       3   -   2  

 

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Reuters contributed to this report.