Accra — Cameroon's Indomitable Lions on Saturday displayed their conquering spirit with a 5-1 win against Zambia.
It was a win that came at no small price, as coach Otto Pfitser brought back only half the team that lost 2-4 in Group C's opening day against defending champions Egypt. In the other Group C match on Saturday, Egypt pocketed their second straight win with a 3-0 victory over Sudan.
The Pharaohs are now guaranteed to move to the quarterfinals, while Cameroon's chances will depend on the outcome of their next game, against Sudan.
With two losses and a poor record of goals, Sudan's Hawks have been eliminated while Zambia faces a difficult match against Egypt.
Eto'o matches Pokou's record
Cameroon first scored at the 28th minute with a powerful free kick by Geremi that found its way into Zambia's net.
Gaining confidence, the Indomitable Lions reminded soccer fans of what they are best known for – fast-paced, offensive and highly physical play. Their efforts were rewarded with a second goal by Joseph Désiré Job at the 32nd minute.
With growing appetite, Cameroon pushed harder, cornering Zambia's defense into making fatal mistakes which ultimately cost them an otherwise hard-fought match.
Achille Emana, who brought the score to 3-0 in the 44th minute, and Samuel Eto'o (4-0 in the 65th minute) took advantage of these mistakes. With his goal, Eto'o matched the Cup of Nations’ all-time scoring record of 14 goals set by Cote d'Ivoire's Laurent Pokou more than 30 years ago. Pokou played in only two tournaments, in Egypt in 1968, where he scored 6 goals, and Sudan in 1970 (8 goals). Aged only 26, Eto'o appears set to break that record.
Cameroon's last goal of the evening was scored by Joseph Désiré Job.
With only a few minutes left in the game, Zambia finally found an opening and team captain Christopher Katongo scored their only, but well-deserved, goal of the game.
Cameroon's next match against Sudan may not be a breeze, because Sudan has won at least once against them in the past during the preliminary stage. Vengeance will thus likely be the dominating theme of that crucial game.
Are Chipolopolo Boys Up to the Task?
Zambia's Chipolopolo Boys offered a radically different face from their first performance, against Sudan.
Saturday's game was spoiled by multiple elementary errors and hesitation, leaving fans across Africa – who had predicted a revival of their 1990s stature – wondering whether this new generation of players has matured enough.
Could this poor performace be the result of structural problems? Did they choose to lose to protest against unpaid bonuses? Did the situation negatively affect their morale? These questions remain unanswered.
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Although the Zambians tried to be more combative at the start of the second half, they failed to reverse the course of the match. Their captain, Christopher Katongo, sought to salvage their good name by scoring their only goal, but their defeat was their biggest loss ever in the Cup of Nations. The wide losing margin further complicates their chances of advancing to the next round, especially because they play next against the defending champions.
Theoretically, not all is lost. But coach James Phiri must see to it that Zambia's defenders don't wallow in their guilt, and also that a more aggressive game plan is drawn up against Egypt – no small task.
