Cameroon have been crowned champions of African football for the fifth time after beating tournament favourites Egypt 2-1 in the final of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.
The Indomitable Lions came from behind to score two second half goals at the Stade de l’Amitié after Egypt had taken the lead in the first half.
Egypt threatened early with only 60 seconds in the game when El Said got a chance in the box and forced a save from Cameroonian goalie Fabrice Ondoa.
The Pharaohs broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute courtesy a strike from Mohammed Elneny. A pass from Mohamed Salah after a run from Amr Warda found Elneny on the right wing. But from a tight angle Elneny controlled the ball, got it on the inside of his foot and struck it high into the net for the only goal in the first 45 minutes.
Cameroon came back into the second half the better side and their efforts were crowned when Nicolas Nkoulou headed home the equaliser in the 59th minute.
Nkoulou, who came on as a substitute after an injury to Adolphe Teikeu, jumped early to beat Ahmed Hegazy to head a Benjamin Moukandjo cross past 44-year-old goalie Essam El Hadary.
Substitute Vincent Aboubakar won the trophy for Cameroon with only two minutes left on the clock. Aboubakar controlled a looped ball on his chest, put it over a defender and struck home to get the decider and the match winner for the West Africans.
Cameroon will defend their title in the next edition of the competition in 2019 when they host it.
Source: Ghana/AccraFM.com
