It was the Tunesians against the scoreline, Monday, as they fought to get back into the race wtih Cameroon during the quarter finals of the 2008 African Nations Cup. But after a tough extra time, the Indomitable Lions got away with the best score of the day 3-2 against Tunesia. Eto’o and His men meet Essien and his men in the semi finals.
It was the Tunesians against the scoreline, Monday, as they fought to get back into the race wtih Cameroon during the quarter finals of the 2008 African Nations Cup. But after a tough extra time, the Indomitable Lions got away with the best score of the day 3-2 against Tunesia. Eto’o and His men meet Essien and his men in the semi finals.
Tensions were high during the quarter final match between Cameroon and Tunesia. The Carthage eagles were bent on not getting intimidated by the imposing physiques of their opponents but Nafti takes it a bit too personal when he banks the first yellow card of the evening in the 12th minute against Achille Emana. Both sides were on equal standing until Cameroon shows superiority in the 18th minute with a first goal: Goal keeper Hamdi Kasraoui and his defence team get into a sticky entanglement following Alexandre Song’s cross giving Mbia no choice but to cooly nod it into a waiting net.
Kicking free kicks
Tunesia had not recovered from the shocker when Cameroon makes matters worse for them six minutes later. A good twenty five metre free kick line up seemed like an advantage for Geremi’s kick. Scientifique precision and technique brings Hamdi Kasraoui’s wall tumbling as the ball enters his net ! Second shocker ! Long balls from the Tunesians afterwards was no problem for the Cameroonians as they tactically cleared them. Their efforts pay off when they get a 25 metre free kick in the 33rd minute: Ben Saada’s brilliant left foot lashes the ball straight into Kameni’s net… now that was vengeance ! That sort of thing does not happen much.
The 2004 champions come alive and leave the Lions pondering… They get the opportunity to equalise 5 minutes before half time when Ben Frej, substituting Haggui in the 39th minute, passes on a cross to Santos, but the man from Toulouse misses his mathematics when the balls crashes noisily into the post. Ben Saada tries to wind back the time as he tries to recapture the moment lost but Kameni magnetises the ball in his sticky gloves.
M’Bia following in Eto’o’s footsteps
The Tunesians visibly squeeze out their remaining energies in the second half trying to banalise the scoreline. The lions leave the control to them and only intervene to clear the balls with long shots towards its dangerous striking force, Eto’o, even if he is alone with a gazillion defence mates from Tunesia observing every move he makes. This tactical game looks dangerous but surprisingly effective. But Ben Frej does not settle for this as he throws his remaining energy into the game ten minutes to the whistle. From the left wing he drives past defence into the Cameroonian eighteen. Chikhaoui falls upon a perfect cut-back and whips the ball around Kameni into his net. Extra time is forseeable as everyone waits impatiently for the whistle without really expecting anything to happen before then.
Chikhaoui and his men start the extra time looking invigorated whilst they the Lions dominate. Wham bang ! goal in the 93rd minute !!! sound of a shrill whistle… it is over… Mbia did it for the indomitable Lions. This is a pipping that the Tunesians will surely lose sleep over ! Kasraoui is not to blame here, he did his level best ! Kudos to both teams
Next Thursday is a date, the Lions meet the Stars.
