Cameroon seek revenge in Ghana 2008 final rematch versus Egypt

Samm Audu

Revenge will be in the air on Monday when Cameroon battle champions Egypt for a place in the semi-final of the Africa Cup of Nations here.

In what is arguably the pick of the four quarter-final matches of Angola 2010, the Indomitable Lions will first wish to avenge for the defeat they suffered at the hands of the Pharaohs in the final of the 2008 Nations Cup in Ghana.

Mohamed Aboutrika squeezed the ball home to give Egypt their record sixth Nations Cup trophy and extend their superiority over Cameroon.

Three weeks earlier they had beaten the same team 4-2 in a group game in Kumasi.

Egypt also ensured that Cameroon lost out on the 2006 World Cup when they held them to a 1-1 draw in Yaounde to pave the way for the Ivory Coast to make their World Cup debut in Germany.

“In two years, Egypt have beaten us, including in the Nations Cup final in Ghana. It is time we beat them,” said Cameroon skipper Samuel Eto’o.

“Egypt are a great football nation, but we must be well prepared and take risks because we’re looking far beyond the quarter-finals.” There are 10 Nations Cup titles between these two African giants - Egypt have clinched six championships and Cameroon four. The Pharaohs have also been the team on form in Angola. They achieved a perfect record to advance from a first round group that included Nigeria, Mozambique and Benin and in the process they shattered Cameroon’s unbeaten run of 14 games in the tournament.

BENGUELA, Angola, Sunday, AFP