Africa Cup of Nations hosts Cameroon have exited the 2021 tournament in dramatic circumstances after losing 3-1 on post-match penalties to Egypt in a semifinal at the Olembe Stadium in Yaoundé on Thursday.
The Indomitable Lions were enterprising going forward and they had a clear opening in the 15th minute after Karl Toko Ekambi went through on goal from Collins Fai’s chip but his volley in the box was saved by goalkeeper Mohamed Abou-Gabal.
Egypt were happy to sit back and look for chances on counter-attacks and they had Marmoush laying off the ball to Salah on the edge of the area but the Liverpool man’s first-time shot went over the crossbar.
Cameroon went close to opening the scoring on the 18th minute through Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui’s head that hit against the crossbar following a corner.
Egypt had to wait for the final 10 minutes for a clear cut opening as Hamdi Fathi’s free header was tipped over by goalkeeper Andre Onana but he is flagged for offside capping off a somewhat disappointing first half.
The Pharaohs forced Stellies into making errors at the back just before the hour-mark, with Salah going through on goal but Onana came off his line quickly to avert danger.
Antonio Conceicao’s men gained momentum and almost found the back of the with 20 minutes left after Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa cushioned a cross into the path of Fai, who sent his volley well over the target.
The game was there for the taking for either side in the dying minutes and Trezeguet came close to getting the winner for Carlos Queiroz’s troops with a cracking strike from the edge of the box that produced a great save from Onana towards the top corner, and ultimately, the match went into extra-time.
There were no goals scored in extra-time and Cameroon, and Egypt went straight into a penalty shootout as the match ended in a goalless stalemate.
Cameroon trio of Harold Moukoudi, James Lea Siliki and Clinton N’Jie saw their penalties saved byAbou-Gabal, and Egypt emerged 3-1 winners on penalties.
How they lined-up:
Egypt: Mohamed Abou-Gabal, Omar Kamal, Mohamed Abdel-Moneim, Mahmoud El-Wensh, Ahmed Fattouh, Hamdi Fathi, Mohamed Elneny, Amr El-Sulaya, Omar Marmoush, Mohamed Salah, Mostafa Mohamed
Cameroon: Andre Onana, Jean-Charles Castelletto, Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui, Nouhou Tolo, Nicolas Ngamaleu, Collins Fai, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Martin Hongla, Samuel Gouet, Karl Toko Ekambi, Vincent Aboubakar
