Cameroun did very little this Wednesday, when they played Sudan to win at 3-0, buying their ticket to the quater final of the African Cup of Nations. Eto’o, however, gave his team mates something to smile about when he became the best scorer in the history of the African Nations Cup. Egypt, still the leader in its group C, could not win their third match against Zambia which ended 1-1.

Egypt almost got away just like Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire who won all their matches in their groups. The Pharoahs, had practically qualified before their final match with the Zambians at Kumasi. They dominated the scoreline by 1-0 for a longtime until the equaliser in the 88th minute. With a solid defence work to hold back the Chipolopolos who stood had a chance in case of a victory, they opened the scoreline in a beautiful collective display in the 15th minute.

Egypt unproductive dominance

Well into the Zambian eighteen, Moawad got hold of the ball as it came from the goal area. Zaky got it and put Mweene in a haze with a superb left foot. Zambia continued unabashed without showing any signs of danger against the reigning African champions.

It is their opponents who on the contrary fail to double their score in the 33rd minute from Fathi’s powerful kick and also in the 46th minute when Fathi’s header is pushed away by the Zambian goalie. In the second half the Egyptians continue to dominate the game with intensive action with fiery Zaki. It is a surprise in the 88th minute when the Zambian Katongo equalises for his team.

Eto’o the best scorer in CAN’s history with16 goals !

In the other match, Cameroun with the same points as Zambia had to beat the Sudanese by all means possible to qualify for the quarter finals. And it was done without ingenuity – the question is ; was ingenuity really necessary ? The Jediane Falcons (a.k.a: Crocodiles of the Nile) succumbed, 3-0. Facing their rather weak opponents, the Lions were happy to dominate the game without strategy.

Eto’o got the first penalty kick right - an apparant Youssef foul against Emma in the 27th minute. In an almost empty Tamale football stadium, the scorer from Barcelona became the best CAN scorer of all time, dethroning Laurent Pokou, the Ivorian. Seven minutes later his team mates sent another confused goal into the net. The goalkeeper punched a 20 metre shot from Epalle which found its way into Al Khider’s unfortunate back, ending it up in the net.

Cameroun does not do any better in the second half. They even leave the Sudanese alone to try their luck through long shots which did not seem to bother Kameni. Eto’o, in a lone action in front of the Sudanese keeper sends the ball into the net in the 92nd minute and resets the best scorer counter. The Lions have to do much better in the quarter finals against Tunesia (maybe, they play against the first team from group D). Sudan leaves the tournament without having scored a single goal. As for Egypt, they play against the second team from group D.