/ 17 October 2003

Cameroon retain Games soccer gold

Cameroon retained their All-Africa Games title with a 2-0 defeat of Nigeria on Thursday courtesy of prolific Canon Yaounde striker Marcus Mokake Mwambo.

Mwambo, who struck either side of the interval, opened the scoring after 42 minutes when he pushed a rebound from Nigeria goalkeeper Rotimi Sunday into the net.

With seven minutes remaining Mwambo struck again to end with a tournament tally of eight goals.

The local fans displayed their frustration soon after the back-breaking goal by throwing empty plastic water bottles on to the pitch and the game had to be momentarily stopped.

Nigeria started the match brightly and dictated proceedings from kick-off but as time wore on the Cameroonians grew in confidence to create most of the chances in the first half.

In the 16th minute goalkeeper Sunday lunged forward to block Guy Bertrand Mamoun who had broke free and was bearing down on goal.

Moments later lively 21-year-old Daniel Oscar drove through from the right-hand channel to set up Guy Ngon, whose blast at goal was blocked by defender Emmanuel Uzuagha.

Nigeria, playing in front of a packed 60 000-capacity Abuja National Stadium, enjoyed their moments, including a cross from Ndala Ibrahim that crashed against the woodwork with goalkeeper Patrick Tignyemb well beaten.

After the interval, the hosts surged in search of the equaliser but found a stumbling block in the Cameroon keeper who was forced to pull off several saves, including a dangerous dive to the feet of Alfred Emuejeraye in the 59th minute. — Sapa-AFP