Cameroon Undone By Magical Zidan

Cameroon Undone By Magical Zidan

Egypt 4 - 2 Cameroon

The reigning champions showed that they're no makeweights thanks to a tremendous first half goal blitz over Cameroon, with Mohamed Zidan front and centre...

A stunning strike from Mohamed Zidane saw Egypt 3-0 up against Cameroon before the half-time whistle, with even the second half input of Samuel Eto'o unable to rouse the indomitable lions.

The reigning champions thus proved that it's not only on home soil that they're a force to be reckoned with, while Cameroon will need to negotiate their way past Sudan and Zambia to secure qualification.

The Pharoahs entered the game with no small measure of trepidation due to the absence of star forward Mido - languishing injured in England - and suspended captain Ahmed Hassan. Cameroon, meanwhile, were essentially at full strength.

Egypt need not have worried, for within 20 minutes they were two goals to the good.

Cameroon's back line was clearly hesitant in the face of constant early pressure from the Egyptians, with Zidan and Shawky both having opportunities within minutes as the Indomitable Lions defence was cut wide open.

As early as the tenth minute it was clear that Egypt were in the ascendancy, although it took a further five for them to take the lead. Andre Bikey handled the ball in the box after Hosni Abd Rabou's cross, and while the Ismaily midfielder's initial penalty was ruled out for an illegal run-up, he made no mistake with the second attempt.

Just two minutes later, Mohamed Zidan started and neded a move that gave Egypt a deserved two-goal lead. He and Emad Moteab swapped defence-splitting passes, allowing the Hamburg striker to sprint forward and slot the ball past Kameni.

It could have been three or even four nil by the half-hour mark, with Kameni almost fatally spilling a Zidan cross and Fathi spurning his own chance to play a killer final ball, but to Cameroon's credit, they were beginning to see more possession.

However, they were unable to find the wherewithal to both break forward and keep it tight at the back. As their possession play failed to bear fruit, coach Otto Pfister took drastic action, replacing Jean Makoun in the midfield with Benfica's Binya, a more defensively-minded player.

While this did invigorate Cameroon, what happened next saw them hit by a sucker punch from which they could not truly recover.

Mohamed Zidan struck again, this time seizing the ball on the edge of the area, dancing around Mbia and then left-footing the ball into the postage stamp for what will surely be one of the tournament's more memorable strikes.

Cameroon rolled the dice at the interval, replacing Mbia and Mguemo with Alex Song of Arsenal and Toulouse's Achille Emana, and once again Pfister's alterations had the desired effect as the Lions strolled forward.

Their tenacity bore fruit 51 minutes in with a Samuel Eto'o goal. The Barcelona man showed why even on his quiet nights he's a force to be reckoned with by powering home a header from Geremi's pinpoint, curing cross.

Emboldened by the reduction in the deficit, Cameroon once again forged forward, with Geremi particularly active i nwhat was looking more and more like a wing-back role.

However, Idrissou and Eto'o were unable to connect meaningfully with his provision, while Pfister's understandable reluctance to deploy the central options further forward meant that chances were at a premium.

Egypt showed that they were far from over, though, as Moawad and Moteab began to take on more meaningful rolse, and with ten minutes to go they once again took a three-goal lead.

This wasn't a silky passing move in line with the second; instead, it was another wonder-strike to match the third.

And it was Hosni Abd-Radou who matched Zidan's two-goal feat with a thirty-yarder that sailed under Kameni to well and truly kill off this tie.

Cameroon tried for a consolation, but it seemed beyond them when Idrissou found himself stymied by a Al-Hadari challenge just as he was about to pull the trigger minutes from time.

But they did get that second goal when the referee awarded a spot kick for a foul by Fatallah. Samuel Eto'o swept it home past Al-Hadari, who had gone the right way but still found himself unable to meet it.

That won't help Egypt's goal difference, but if they perform like this against the group's other teams, it'll more likely be a question of how many they score, rather than concede. A fine performance overall from Egypt, and while Cameroon did fall victim to some excdeptional strikes, they were second-best in any case.

Africa Cup of Nations : Cameroon 2 Vs Egypt 4

Two goals each from Mohamed Zidan and Hosni Abd Rabou gave Egypt a fine start in their defence of the Nations Cup.

Cameroon were outplayed in the first half, Abd Rabou scoring from the spot and Zidan netting two superb goals.

His first came from a speedy breakaway, then he chested down and shot from outside the penalty box for his second.

Samuel Eto'o scored after the break, but Abd Rabou's long shot on 82 minutes ended hopes of a comeback, though Eto'o scored again from the spot.

Despite their status as holders, Egypt's qualifying campaign had been uninspiring, and Cameroon were expected to have the upper hand over the Pharaohs.

But Egypt began with spark and confidence, pressurising the Cameroon defence from the start of the game.

Mohamed Shawky tested Indomitable Lions' goalkeeper Carlos Kameni with a long-range shot in the third minute.

The opening goal came after 14 minutes when Andre Bikey handled in the box and Abd Rabou converted the penalty.

Zidan made it 2-0 three minutes later, breaking from inside his own half, exchanging passes with Emad Moteab and racing through the Cameroon defence before slotting home.

Four-time champions Cameroon were shocked, and there was more to come.

In first-half stoppage time, Zidan struck again, chesting the ball down outside the box and striking home powerfully.

But Eto'o gave a team talk before his side came back after the break, and Cameroon were a transformed side.

They began playing with purpose and pulled one back on 51 minutes as Eto'o headed in a Geremi cross.

He nearly added another 12 minutes later, shooting just wide.

What had been an exciting contest then slowed down, as Egypt began to dampen Cameroon's momentum.

Abd Rabou's magnificent 25-yard shot sealed the victory with eight minutes remaining.

Cameroon did score again though, with an Eto'o penalty in stoppage time.

CAN 2008 Preview: Cameroon - Egypt

CAN 2008 Preview: Cameroon - Egypt

What: African Cup of Nations, Group C
Who: Cameroon vs. Egypt
When: Tuesday, 22 January 2008, 17:00 GMT
Where: Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Kumasi

At exactly 17:00 GMT, all soccer enthusiasts’ eyes will be directed to the Baba Yara Stadium ground in Kumasi to witness a clash of two major African powerhouses battling it out. It's a match between the mighty Pharaohs (Egypt) and the Indomitable Lions (Cameroon), kicking off Group C.

With the memories of the World Cup 2006 qualifiers defeat from Egypt, which cost Cameroon a place in the finals, still fresh in the minds of the Lions, they’ll be looking forward to this encounter to try and take back a piece of their pride.

They'll also look to kick off the group stages in the tournament with a win to send a message to all teams that Cameroon are on their way for a record matching fifth title, with only Egypt having won that many times so far.

Egypt, title holders and record breaking five times CAN champions, still lingering with memories of winning their beloved trophy on home soil last time around, will be looking forward to this game to prove any doubters wrong.

Home advantage counts for a lot in tournaments like these, but the Pharoahs will want to send out a message tto the effect that it's not just because they played on home turf that they won the cup last time, but because they’re that good.

History aside, Tuesday’s clash between the two giants should produce some football of the highest quality as both teams will try to kick off their campaign with a win, which according to common statistics and mere logic, should grant the winners here a place in the next round.

Egypt prepared for the tournament by playing three friendlies against Namibia, Mali, and Angola, beating Namibia and Mali and drawing against Angola, though history shows that its not how you play in friendlies, its how you cope with the pressures of the big games. The vibe coming from the Egyptian camp is all full of hope and edginess even though Egyptian stars Mido and Hossam Ghaly are missing from the squad; quite unlike the vibe coming from Egyptian fans, who in turn fear the worst in spite of Egypt having very talented players.

Hassan Shehata, Egypt’s Manager, usually adopts a 4-4-2 formation which transpires into a 4-3-3 according to the match progression, but it is very likely that he’ll use a 3-5-2 in Tuesday’s game to try to add depth in the midfield to overcome Cameroon’s powerful midfield surges, thus preventing balls to their main threat, Eto’o.

Egypt’s talents include the likes of Al Ahly’s Mohamed Abu Treika, one of Africa’s most famous and best players, veteran Anderlecht Belgian Silver Boot winner Ahmed Hassan, Hamburg’s Mohamed Zidan, Emad Met’eb - who scored a hatrick in the Angola friendly - and debatably Africa’s best goal keeper Essam El Hadary, among many others, who in turn will be looking to help Egypt lift their sixth African Cup in their history.

Otto Pfister, the Cameroon coach, will be pulling up his sleeves using the massive knowledge of Egyptian culture and playing styles, having managed Al Zamalek in Egypt for a couple of years, to try and write of the champions.

Usually adopting a 4-4-2 formation, and with a massive crop of talented players with the likes of Reading’s Andre Bikey, Arsenal’s young gun Alex Song, Lille’s Jean Makoun, and veteran Geremi all available to bolster and strengthen that midfield, Pfister will be hoping that Cameroon and Barcelona superstar Samuel Eto’o is sharp enough to bag those goals. If everything goes as planned, will increase Cameroon’s chances of firstly winning the match against Egypt, and secondly stepping up to lift that trophy once more.

It should be a close battle between the midfielders, but as to whether Eto’o’s pace and knack for goals may prove too much for the Egyptian defenses and El Hadary, or Abu Treika could orchestrate Egypt’s dominance, only time will tell.

TEAM NEWS:

EGYPT:

Egypt were given a right scare after main goalkeeper Essam El Hadary twisted his ankle in training yesterday, and he's in doubt for Tuesday’s match.

Another important loss for the Egyptian team is team captain Ahmed Hassan, who’s out for two matches due to gaining two yellow cards.

Emad Met’eb is also in doubt for the game after complaining from neck pain, but is likely to feature in the game.

Amr Zaki who recovered from a minor head concussion suffered in the Mali friendly is also available.

Other than that, all other players are available for selection, with Wael Gomaa and Shadi Mohamed leading the defenses, and Shawky dominating the midfield.

Mido and Hossam Ghaly are both out of the African Nations squad, so they’re not available.

Squad From:

Essam al-Hadary (Al-Ahly), Mohamed Monsef (Zamalek)Mahmoud Fathallah (Zamalek), Tarek al-Sayed (Zamalek), Sayed Moawad, Hani Saied (Ismailia), Shady Mohamed (Al-Ahly), Ahmed Fathi (Al-Ahly), Wael Gomaa (Al-Siliya), Ahmed al-Muhammadi (ENPPI), Omar Gamal (Ismailia), Hosni Abd Rabou (Ismailia), Mohamed Aboutraika (Al-Ahly), Hassan Mostafa (Al-Wehda), Mohamed Shawky (Middlesbrough),Mohamed Fadl (Ismailia), Emad Moteab (Al-Ahly), Amr Zaki (Zamalek), Mohamed Zidan (Hamburg)

CAMEROON:

Pfister should have all his players available for selection, and thus will opt for the strongest possible XI, with Kameni, Eto’o and Makoun all making the starting line up. An attacking formation is expected.

Samuel Eto'o has recently returned to the Barcelona lineup but questions linger over his match sharpness. However, those fears should prove unfounded, as he's had long enough to prepare for the tournament.

Captain Rigobert Song should marshall the back line.

Squad From:

Kameni (Espanyol), Hamidou Souleymanou (Denizlispor, Rigobert Song (Galatasaray), Andre Bikey (Reading), Timothee Atouba (Hamburg), Bill Tchato (Qatar Sport), Benoit Angbwa (Saturn), Gilles Augustin Binya (Benfica), Geremi (Newcastle United), Alexandre Song (Arsenal), Achille Emana (Toulouse), Jean Joel Epalle (Vfl Bochum), Jean Makoun (Lille), Landry Nguemo (Nancy), Modeste Mbami (Olympique Marseille), Paul Tchamba Essola (Arsenal Kiev), Stephane Mbia Etoundi (Stade Rennes), Alain Nkong (Atlente), Samuel Eto'o (Barcelona), Bertin Tomou (Excelsior Mouscron), Mohamadou Idrissou (MSV Duisburg), Joseph Desire Job (Nice)

Players to Watch:

EGYPT:

Amr Zaki- Although Mohamed Abu Treika would be the right off number one threat for the Egyptian team when in the right form, it’s Amr Zaki who’ll be grabbing the headlines in this tournament after a major overhaul in his abilities over the past two years and is likely to be Egypt’s top scorer.

CAMEROON:

Samuel Eto’o- When you’ve got a player of Eto’o’s caliber, you just can’t ignore him, and rightly so. One of the best goal scorers ever to grace the continent, Eto’o dazzled football fanatics both in club and country for the past 4 years, and is likely to do so here, given that he remains free of injury.

PREDICTION:

Prepare yourself for one massive game. Two major forces in African football history battling out for first place in Group C, I’m expecting some flying tackles, real end to end stuff in this game with the winner being the team who’ll grab that lone chance in front of goal. A real close battle, but I’m predicting Cameroon will edge out Egypt in the nearest of margins.

Final Score: Egypt 1 – 2 Cameroon

Mohamed Seif