African Nations Cup: A tournament that has largely gone to script will come to a logical conclusion tomorrow when Cameroon, the holders and Olympic champions, meet Senegal in a clash between two of the teams who will contest the World Cup this summer.
Cameroon - the Republic of Ireland's first opponents in Japan - enjoyed 3-0 semi-final stroll against the previously impressive hosts Mali which marks them down as favourites to retain the trophy. And Patrick Mboma, who missed the semi with a foot injury, is confident of being fit.
"I will be okay for the match, it's just not a serious injury," said the Parma striker, who has scored three goals in his four games here.
However, their German coach Winfried Schafer will wait until the last minute before naming his team as Pius Ndiefi played well against Mali. He also has Real Mallorca's striker Samuel Eto'o to call upon.
"I respect the Cameroonians, sure, but I don't fear them," said the Senegal striker El Hadj Diouf. "We have a great team, but above all we are so close we are like a band of brothers."
Morale is high for Cameroon, too, despite their goalkeeping coach Thomas Nkono reportedly receiving a one-year touchline ban for his incursion on the pitch prior to Mali semi-final which saw him bundled away in handcuffs after being accused of dropping "magic" on to the pitch.
Mali's president Alpha Oumar Konare went to the changing room after the match to apologise. "It was a gesture that we really appreciated. Mali owed us an apology and we received it from their leading citizen," Schafer added.
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