There had been debate in Cameroon’s camp about whether recalling striker Patrick Mboma for the African Cup of Nations was a good idea — an argument he ended on Thursday with a hat-trick against Zimbabwe.
After the Indomitable Lions crushed Zimbabwe 5-3, Cameroon was joined atop the Group C standings by Algeria when substitute Hocine Achiou scored the goal of the tournament so far in an unlikely 2-1 win over bitter rival Egypt.
Mboma, the spearhead of Cameroon’s African Cup wins in 2000 and 2002, received a late call-up to this year’s tournament by coach Winfried Schaefer.
He took advantage of poor Zimbabwe defending to plunder a well-taken treble in Sfax — putting Cameroon top of the group on goal difference from Algeria. Both have four points.
”I hadn’t counted on scoring three goals,” Mboma said. ”It is especially great because it gives us victory.” Algeria coach Rabah Saadane was full of praise.
”My players were valiant and brave,” he said. ”We took a huge step forward today. We were very combative, even when we were down to 10 men. I never doubted, I remained serene.”
Egypt could have joined host Tunisia in the quarterfinals, but spurned several chances to win the match.
Both Algeria, which next faces Zimbabwe, and Cameroon, taking on Egypt, need only to draw their final matches on Tuesday to reach the quarters.
Egypt will likely need to beat Cameroon, unless Zimbabwe can beat Algeria.
”We had no luck today,” said Egypt coach Mohsen Saleh.
”Now we must face Cameroon and it will be difficult to advance.”
Particularly if Mboma continues his hot streak. Mboma, who plays in Japan for Tokyo Verdy, hardly figured in Cameroon’s plans since the 2002 World Cup. But Schaefer handed him a lifeline.
He had partly repaid his coach’s faith by scoring a thumping header in the 1-1 draw with Algeria last Sunday.
Against Zimbabwe, Mboma paid it back in full — notching twice in the first half and completing his treble in the 64th minute as Zimbabwe’s defence capitulated.
”Patrick has many qualities,” Schaefer said. ”I always pick the strongest players available, and he is one of those”.
In contrast, Real Mallorca striker Samuel Eto’o could not find the net — hitting the crossbar with one effort and wasting others.
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Modeste Mbami added Cameroon’s other two –one a blockbuster from 25 metres — while captain Peter Ndlovu grabbed both for Zimbabwe, taking his tournament tally to three.
In Sousse, around 20 000 Algerian fans made the short trip to see their team take an early lead.
Djamel Belmadi curled the ball into the penalty area, where tall striker Mamouni of Belgium’s La Louviere rose to head past Nader El-Sayed.
Egypt leveled in the 26th minute when Ahmed Belal chipped over Lounes Gaouaoui.
The game seemed to swing in Egypt’s favour when Mamouni was sent off for elbowing Ahmed Hassan.
But, after Egypt squandered chances, Achiou decided matters, collecting the ball 60 metres from goal, skipping elegantly past four challenges, and slotting coolly around El-Sayed.
In Friday’s Group B games, Mali can advance to the quarters if it beats Burkina Faso in Tunis, while Senegal looks to shake of its sloppy start when it plays Kenya in Bizerte. – Sapa-AP