African Cup of Nations

CAN final: "It would be difficult for anyone to beat Egypt now"

Julien — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 11:24:12 +0100

Our Observer in Ghana describes the post-match atmosphere in Accra after the team's defeat, and gives his predictions for the final.

The Lions of Cameroon are simply on fire

Julien — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 10:24:55 +0100

Wow! I just finished watching the Cameroon - Tunisia match and I must say that Cameroon is a very hungry team. They took the 4-2 result from Egypt not as a defeat, but as a chance to rebuild and re-assess their team. The Lions of Cameroon are simply on fire now and are one of the favourites to reach the finals.

Meanwhile the Black Stars of Ghana are fresh from their 2-1 win over the Super Eagles of Nigeria. That match was truly like a final game. Such passion, such flare and such emotion from the West African rivals. Today has confirmed that Cameroon and Ghana will play each other in the semi finals. I'm a Black Stars fan, and I think that in order for Ghana to come out victorious they mustn't leave the Cameroonians any space. As the opportunists that they are, they would exploit it to the fullest! The Ghanaians must be weary of the Cameroonians’ free kicks, because as seen by the game with Tunisia, they’re great at free kicks. Also the Cameroonian team is very physical so the Black Stars have to take note of that.

The Black Stars have a very solid defence. They’ve only let in two goals so far compared with Cameroon’s seven. In conclusion, I have to say that the Ghana - Cameroon match will be very physical and I see the Black Stars winning this game 2-1."

Egypt get through, but can they go any further?

Julien — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:38:57 +0100

The streets are empty, there's no movement, human activity has been minimized to emergency cases only. That was the case in the streets of Cairo from quarter to seven until nine last night. A lot of companies in Cairo even allowed their employees to leave one hour early to watch the match. Although it was broadcast on national TV many people preferred to watch it in a cafe where they could see it on the big screen. The cold didn't stop people from going out to watch the match. The fans were a little bit worried about it after the result of the last match with Zambia (1-1) which was described by many fans and as "not bad".

The beginning was really powerful for the Egyptian team and before the first quarter they managed to score a goal from a penalty. But three minutes later Angola got even with a perfect goal. That turned off the heat for the fans a little bit. But then, about ten minutes before the end of the first half the Egyptian team got another goal- and that set the fans on fire again. They had trust once more in their team.

The first part of the second half witnessed a partial control from the Egyptian team over the playground but it was visible in the second part that the Egyptian team was fighting to keep away the attacks of Angolan team. The match ended 2-1 for Egypt but it made many football fans question weather the Egyptian team is powerful enough to win the cup this season."

Egypt and Cameroon go through to the semi final

Julien — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:25:16 +0100

The posts for the semi finals are almost complete. The Black Gazelles were mowed down by the Pharaohs and the Eagles of Carthage were devoured by the untamable Lions. In both cases, it wasn’t easy. We saw two of the best matches of the competition. It’ s the experience that makes the artist, as we say. In any case it’s what let Egypt bring Angola to an end. They were solid team who until now astonished us. No doubt they’ll confirm their great play in the next edition of CAN, which will take place at home for them; in Angola. Egypt really enjoyed a great feat when they beat the Ivorians, but a revenge could be on its way. This will surely be the hottest game in the competition. For Cameroon, the task couldn’t have been harder, and was long and intense to boot. The Tunisians lacked a bit of luck but finished holding their heads high: they fought till death, and Lemerre can only congratulate them for their efforts. Cameroon’s strength grew as the event went on…the next match for them will be a challenge for their competition.”

People are telling themselves that the Eagles can be overcome

Julien — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 17:32:14 +0100

In Yaounde, chatter is at full steam in taxis, offices, schools, markets, on the TV and radio stations, in the bars... almost everyone criticising the untameable Lions for their poor-play, but also commending them too- Cameroon has the best attack, (ten goals!) and the best striker, Eto' Fils. The Cameroons don't forget to encourage their team. In my country, where everyone assumes the position of coach, there is plenty of speculation. There are those who think the team was unprepared for the CAN, so they can only get better. And what's coming, only a match with Tunisia! People are telling themselves that the Eagles can be overcome because they're also badly prepared. But some think that in light of their last three matches, the Tunisians could be tactically and technically stronger. Me, I count on the mental persistence of our players."

Ghana- Nigeria: "It was like the final"

Julien — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 15:12:50 +0100

"I thought this match was going to be close but I didn't think it would end quite that dramatically. At one point you thought Ghana would lose and at another you saw an array of hope from the way the Ghana boys played." Our Observer in Accra updates us on the team's 2-1 win over Nigeria, gaining them a place in the semi finals.

Making it to the quarter finals means meeting those untameable lions...

Julien — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 12:48:41 +0100

Tunisia has just made it into the quarter finals thanks to a draw with the incredible Angolan team. The great losers of this group are Senegal and South Africa. The match between us and Angola though, it was very defensive. Both teams were desperate not to lose, so they didn't take any risks. That meant that play was average, despite some good tries from the Tunisian side, who once again had to play with a reshuffled team because of manager Roger Lemerre. But Tunisia has qualified- and come first in their group! And now they'll be up against the somewhat frightening Cameroon; a team that, despite a large defeat by Egypt in their first match, are largely considered as one of the best on the continent. They were only defeated in their first match because of bad preparation. But now, they're like an unstoppable monster, crushing everything in its path. The big test for Cameroon will be this Monday faced with those untameable Lions. A victory will mean reconciliation with the public, a defeat will mean bye bye for Roger Lemerre."

The Ivory Coast will flatten all the animals in the CAN

Julien — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 12:28:39 +0100

The last game between the Ivory Coast and Mali was one of the best [IC won by 3 -0]. Because they'd already qualified for the quarter-finals, the elephants gave themselves wholeheartedly. Everyone was waiting for a goal from Drogba, because his wife is originally from Mali. He had said before the match that if his wife and their beautiful family wanted to have a party after the game, then it would be better to support the Ivory Coast! The Malians were disappointed because the elephants could have let them continue in the competition. A draw would have been enough. But the elephants could not spare the eagles of Mali; no more than the ‘super eagles' of Nigeria. The Ivory Coast is going to flatten all the animals of the CAN."

"Whatever colour the cat, as long as it catches the mouse"

Julien — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 11:05:49 +0100

After the avalanche of Cameroon goals against Sudan - 3-0! - signifying qualification into the second round, the whole town became hysterical. Young and old, women and men, Cameroons and ex-pats, everyone celebrated the Lions' victory, and with no moderation! The sound of fanfares and klaxons made the atmosphere very fun... After being defeated by the Pharaohs of Egypt, the Lions' biggest rivals for a long time, it was time to brush off our mistakes. (...) Everyone agrees now that the Lions approach their prey with more and more certainty. Maybe lacking manners, but not efficiency! Like we say: "Whatever colour the cat, as long as it catches the mouse"."

No matter what ethnicity, every Cameroon is behind the Lions

Julien — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 18:44:18 +0100

Despite a slow start from Cameroon, we're not worried. Everyone agrees in saying that the technical, tactical and administrative problems in the first match were overcome piece by piece and the Lions are ready and roaring to go now. Bad memories are apparent: the late appointment of a new coach and regrouping of the players; the bad preparation matches... But every person from Cameroon- despite 288 ethnicities and 200 national languages- sing the national anthem in unison. We're reunited by football; by the Lions; the real cement of the country. Every business is geared towards football at the moment. The national television station CRTV airs every single CAN match. The breweries have launched contests. There's no traffic on the roads when the Lions are playing, not even a taxi! (...) Predictions for tonight are, naturally in favour of the untameable Lions: 1-0 here; 3-1 there, some even say 5-1! Few Cameroons envisage a defeat faced with Sudan.