Cameroon beat Zambia to revive dream


  1. Sanday Chongo Kabange AfricaNews reporter in Lusaka, Zambia
    Four-time African champion, Cameroon, last night beat Zambia 3-2 to revive its hopes of reaching the quarterfinals of the on-going African Cup of Nations in Angola. Gabon and Tunisia played to a scoreless draw. Cameroon moved into second place in Group D with three points, one behind Gabon.
    Africa Cup of Nations 2008 Final - Egypt- Cameroon 1-0 - Photo by Nana Kofi Acquah.jpg
    The country will advance with a win over Tunisia in the final group game.

    "The players gave the response we needed," Cameroon coach Paul Le Guen.

    Substitute Mohamadou Idrissou scored the winner for Cameroon with a looping header with four minutes left.

    Jacob Mulenga opened the scoring for Zambia in the eighth minute, converting a rebound after a misplayed clearance by Rigobert Song.

    Geremi Njitap tied it in the 68th and Inter Milan star Samuel Eto’o added another from close range four minutes later.

    Zambia’s Christopher Katongo evened the score again with a penalty kick in the 82nd minute.

    "We have no option but to beat Gabon," Zambia coach Herve Renard said. "We played a good game, especially in the first half. It gives us confidence."

    Earlier, Gabon missed a chance to reach the knockout phase with its draw against Tunisia.

    "It’s a pity we dropped some points against Gabon," Tunisia midfielder Chaouki Ben Saada said. "We are not afraid of Cameroon. We believe in our ability."