Cameroon through to final
Geremi and Cameroon are through to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations
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Thursday, 07, Feb 2008 09:33
Cameroon have reached the final of the Africa Cup of Nations after knocking out hosts Ghana in a tightly contested affair in Accra.
Alain Nkong came off the bench for the Indomitable Lions to slot home the winner after being put through by Samuel Eto'o.
Ghana may feel hard done by as they controlled large periods of the game and seemed the most likely to break the deadlock.
Although there was plenty of energy and some feisty challenges, both teams appeared to lack quality in the final third of the pitch.
Eric Addo could have got Cameroon off to a great start in the fifth minute, but he failed to connect with his header.
Geremi then hit the bar for Cameroon with a free kick from 40 yards. The former Chelsea midfielder was unlucky to see his shot clip the angle of post and bar.
In the second half, Ghana pushed forward and had plenty of possession in Cameroon territory but were unable to fashion any decent chances as Rigobert Song shone in the centre of Cameroon's defence.
Cameroon then punished the hosts with a slick move which ended with Nkong opening up his body and slotting past Richard Kingson in the Ghana goal.
Ghana were perhaps restricted by the decision of the coach to play Michael Essien at centre back, following the suspension of captain John Mensah. They did almost clinch an equaliser but Agogo headed over from a good position.
As the clock ran down it was one of the Cameroon players who lost his head, as Reading defender Andre Bikey was sent off for pushing over one of the medical staff, who had come onto the pitch to help the Cameroon goalkeeper Kameni.
Bikey will now miss the final.