Cameroon retain African Nations Cup

Cameroon became the first side to successfully defend the African Nations Cup in more than three decades today after beating …

Cameroon became the first side to successfully defend the African Nations Cup in more than three decades today after beating Senegal in a dramatic penalty shoot-out.

The win made Cameroon the first side since Ghana in 1963 and 1965 to record back-to-back victories in the Nations Cup.

The shoot-out lottery settled what had been an absorbing encounter which saw Cameroon dominant for long spells but unable to breach a resolute Senegal defence.

Senegal had got off to a dream start in the shoot-out when goalkeeper Mario Sylva saved Cameroon's opening penalty from Pierre Wome.

READ MORE

They went one up when defender Ferdinand Coly powered his own spotkick home, and though Cameroon substitute Patrick Suffo levelled the Senegalese remained in control.

Senegal's Khalilou Fadiga and Cameroon's Arsenal star Lauren Mayer both successfully converted their kicks but the tide turned in Cameroon's favour when keeper Boukar saved from Moustapha Faye.

Real Madrid's Geremi Njitap converted his kick and suddenly the pressure was back on Senegal. It proved too much for striker Al-Hadju Diouf.

Diouf, who plays for French league leaders Lens, dragged his shot wide to leave Cameroon skipper Rigobert Song needing to convert his penalty to clinch the win.

Their was a final twist to the tale though, with Sylva saving from Song to give Senegal a lifeline. Cisse was unable to grab it however and Cameroon were champions.

With the score locked 0-0 after 90 minutes, it was Cameroon who came closest to breaking the drought in extra-time when striker Pius Ndiefi sent a free header just wide with Senegal goalkeeper Mario Sylva scrambling.

Ndiefi had nearly settled the match in normal time, when a clever header from Samuel Eto'o created confusion in the Senegal defence.

Ndiefi crashed his low angled shot across Sylva but could only watch as the ball cannoned back off the post.

It was the nearest Cameroon came to scoring in a half which had also seen them unlucky not to be awarded a penalty after Ndiefi appeared to have been shirt-pulled by captain Cisse.

Television replays clearly showed Cisse tugging Ndiefi's shirt, but Egyptian referee Gamal El-Ghandour waved play on, to the visible fury of Cameroon coach Winfried Schafer on the touchline.

Schafer had already gesticulated wildly after two heavy tackles on Eto'o went unpunished.

Earlier, the first half had seen Cameroon finish marginally on top despite Senegal having two scoring opportunities.

Cameroon were aggrieved not to have reached half-time a goal to the good. An Eto'o header was disallowed after Ndiefi was adjudged to have fouled Senegal keeper Sylva.

Senegal meanwhile had squandered a glorious chance with only five minutes gone, when Henri Camara's shot from seven yards clipped the top of the crossbar after a neat lay-off from Diouf.

Camara was the culprit for another Senegalese miss shortly afterwards.

Cleverly put through by African player of the year candidate Diouf, Camara's well-struck shot hit the target but Cameroon goalkeeper Boukar was equal to the challenge. -AFP