Lagos — WORLD Cup finalists Cameroun and Senegal made it a first ever date in the African Nations Cup final on Thursday in drastically different circumstances, the Senegalese coming out of tight battle with Nigeria while Cameroun ran over hosts Mali rather smoothly.

But whoever thinks it would be smooth-sailing for the Indomitable Lions as they aim to retain the title they won two years ago, has another thought coming.

Senegal are the form team of African football, and have done much to prove that in this tournament.They held their ground against another World Cup bound team Tunisia in the group phase, and despite the usual problems that plagued the Nigerian camp plus the lack of committment on the part of many, were not expected to survive the Nigerian challenge.

Senegal are highly motivated having beaten two-time champions Nigeria and the daily messages of encourament from President Abdoulaye Wade have helped morale on camp.

But Cameroun have looked unstoppable in this championship. Their pace, swiftness on the ball, physical and mental balance and close control have put them a shade ahead of the other teams.They are also going to the World Cup, in fact their fifth appearance- unmatched by any other African team- and savour the glory of a 3-0 spanking of hosts Mali in the semi final on Thursday.

Mali had beaten former champions Algeria and South Africa and held two-time winners Nigeria to a draw. But it was a long way from 1972, when they held the Indomitable Lions to a 1-1 draw in a group match inYaounde, and reached the final.

Cameroun, playing without top scorer Patrick Mboma,hit two goals in the first half through utility player Salomon Olembe, then added a third in a second half in which they could have netted half a dozen.

There is also the attractive prospect of being the first winners of the new, gold trophy. Cameroun and Senegal have met twice in the Nations Cup finals. In 1990, the year Cameroun became the first African team in the World Cup quarter finals, they lost 2-0 to Senegal in a Group B match at the Nations Cup in Algeria, few months before they went to Italy.But Senegal must feel the pain the more, having been ejected from the finals by Cameroun in the quarter finals when they hosted the competition 10 years ago.

Just when the rapturous Senegalese crowd were resigned to extra time play, Ernest Ebongue scored for Cameroun with only four minutes left.

Cameroun s defence will be up against the cyclonic Senegalese troika - Khalilou Fadiga, El Hadj Diouf and Henri Camara- who have a way of making way for tall defenders Alassane Diao or Pape Bouna Diop, or substitute Souleymane Camara, to make hay at difficult times.

Mboma is expected to return to the Indomitable Lions for the final inside the March 26 Stadium this evening, meaning Senegal s defence of Aliou Cisse,Omar Daf, Ferdinand Coly and Diao will have more work to do other than concentrate on Olembe, Pius Ndiefi,Samuel Eto O Fils and Lauren Etame Mayer.(ACONS)