Egypt strikes like a true defending champion

Tuesday, 22 January 08, 02:09 PM · Comments(0)

Defending champion Egypt delivered a fierce warning to its challengers for the African Cup of Nations with a commanding 4-2 win over Cameroon in Kumasi tonight.

The Pharaohs worked some football magic to win the game with three of its goals of the highest quality.

It sent an ominous message to the rest of the competition who thought Egypt was no longer the team that won the title two years ago.

The strikes, two from Zidan and two from Hosni, erased any concern over a lack of fire-power in the Eygpt forward line.

To describe Cameroon as rattled by Egypt’s 3-0 half-time advantage would be unfair. While Alex Song was a mixture of firm and flaky, fellow half-time substitute Achille Emana provided some hope.

Although it does seem quite clear Cameroon won’t go all the way with Samuel Eto’o lurking in the playmaker role rather than displaying his predatory instincts.

Despite heading a fantastic strikers’ goal to give Cameroon some hope at the start of the second half, Eto’o disappeared as the game petered out, leaving Geremi’s impressive crosses from the right flank little to aim at.

While Hosni’s strike for the fourth goal was a cracker, Cameroon’s defenders stood off the midfielder and gave him all the time in the world to pick his spot.

The commentators mocked the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon as “kittens” with the score at 4-1 while Eto’o’s late penalty added some cosmetic repair to the final tally.

It will take a significant swing in from to see Egypt fall out at the group stage from here. And while Cameroon may not have that much to rectify in games it will start favourite against Sudan and Zambia, its future beyond the first knock-out game is highly questionable.

Teo Pellizzeri, Accra

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