PH
The indomitable lions of Cameroon have won the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon after defeating the pharaohs of Egypt.
Cameroon celebrate winning AFCON 2017
Vincent Aboubakar’s 88th minute strike ensured the Cameroonians win the tournament for the fifth time.
Arsenal’s Mohammed Elneny opened the scoring in the first half when he met Salah’s pass and scored at the near post.
Cameroon brought on Nkoulou in the first half and he proved his worth in the second half with the equalizer.
Aboubakar scored the winner when he controlled a long ball played out from the defense, lobbed the first defender in his way and volleyed the ball on the floor to score.
This is Cameroon’s first AFCON title win since 2002 and their fifth overall. Egyot were denied their eighth overall African title.
Cameroon will also play at the upcoming 2017 Confederations Cup.
Egypt: Essam El-Hadary, Ahmed Elmohamady, Ahmed Hegazy, Ali Gabr, Ahmed Fathy, Tarek Hamed, Mohammed Elneny, Mohammed Salah, Abdallah Said, Ramadan Sobhi, Mohmoud Hassan.
Cameroon: Fabrice Ondoa, Collins Fai, Adolphe Teikeu, Micheal, Micheal Ngadeu-Ngadjui, Ambroise Oyongo, Sebastien Siani, Arnaud Djoum, Christian Bassogog, Benjamin Moukandjo, Karl Ekambi, Robert Ndip Tambe.
Cameroon is a much changed side from the one that played in the 2008 final.
The Pharaohs, among the tournament favourites from the outset in Gabon, were victorious in 2006, 2008 and 2010 before failing to qualify for the next three editions in 2012, 2013 and 2015.
The Indomitable Lions defeated Ghana in the last four and Senegal in the quarter-finals.
Seven-time winners Egypt earned their place in a record-equalling ninth Afcon final by beating Burkina Faso 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 semi-final draw and Morocco 1 – 0 in the quarter-final.
Mohammed Salah celebrates his goal against Burkina Faso
The Pharaohs’ hero in the semi-final was 44-year-old goalkeeper Essam El Hadary, whose save in the shootout means he now has a chance to win a fifth Afcon title, having won his first in 1998.
Essam El-Hadary
El Hadary has been in fine form in Gabon, the goal he conceded in the semi-final being the first he has let in during the tournament.
