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Lions roar into semifinals Cameroon defeats Algeria 2-1 at Nations Cup
Posted: Sunday February 06, 2000 02:05 PM
ACCRA, Ghana (AP) -- Cameroon clinched a place in the semifinals of the African Nations Cup on Sunday, holding off a spirited late comeback from Algeria in a 2-1 victory. The Indomitable Lions took control with two early goals but Abdelhafid Tasfaout's 78th-minute header sparked a late charge from the North African underdog. Seeking a third African title, Cameroon broke through in the seventh minute. Algeria failed to clear a long throw from the right, and 18-year-old Real Madrid striker Samuel Eto'o pounced from close range to score his second goal of the tournament. Marc-Vivien Foe, who struck in Cameroon's opening match against Ghana, extended the lead in the 22nd minute, rising at the far post to head in a Bernard Tchoutang cross. Cameroon, so impressive in its opening two matches but a shock loser to Togo in its last game, cut through Algeria's defense at will but missd a series of chances to kill the match. Salomon Olembe was the biggest culprit, blasting an eight-yard shot out of the stadium with Algerian goalkeeper Abdesslam Benabdellah grounded. Cameroon was clearly determined to avoid a repeat of its shock quarterfinal defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo at the last African Cup in 1998. Its early aggression stung the Algerians and captain Rigobert Song was lucky to stay on the pitch after a reckless two-footed challenge on Tasfaout in the 17th minute. With the support of most of the 14,000 spectators, Algeria picked up the pace in the second half and came close to scoring in the 54th minute when substitute Rafik Saifi was unlucky to see his angled shot bounce off a post. Lineups: Cameroon: Boukar Alioum; Rigobert Song, Beyaka Njanka, Raymond Kalla, Salomon Olembe; Marc-Vivien Foe, Bernard Tchoutang (Cyrille Ndo, 72nd), Laurent Mayer, Geremi Njitap; Patrick Mboma (Pius Ndiefi, 62nd), Samuel Eto'o (Joseph-Desire Job, 46th). Algeria: Abdesslam Benabdellah; Maamar Mamouni, Abdelaziz Benhamlat (Moulay Haddou, 46th), Rezki Amrouche, Nasreddine Kraouche; Bilal Dziri, Fawzi Moussouni (Rafik Saifi, 52nd), Moussa Saib, Mahieddine Meftah; Farid Ghaz (Brahim Mezouar, 66th), Abdelhafid Tasfaout.
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