Cameroon stun Ghana to reach Africa Cup of Nations final
Cameroon net twice in the second half to beat Ghana 2-0 in Franceville and reach the Africa Cup of Nations final
Michael Ngadeu and Christian Bassogog both netted in the second half as Cameroon beat Ghana 2-0 in Franceville on Thursday to reach the Africa Cup of Nations final.
A finely-poised tie remained goalless until the 72nd minute, when Ghana goalkeeper Razak Brimah failed to deal with a free-kick into his area and John Boye’s weak defensive header merely served as an assist for Ngadeu to control and fire home.
Bassogog then broke away to clinch the win and spark wild celebrations as Hugo Broos’s side progress to a final against Egypt in Libreville on Sunday.
“It is a real dream for us to get to the final,” said a delighted Broos.
“Ghana have more experience than us – look at what they have done in recent tournaments. But since the start of this tournament we have shown we keep going right to the end in every game.
“I am very happy, especially for the team. They are an exemplary group on and off the field and they deserve to be in the final.”
Ghana, who have still never beaten Cameroon at the competition, will now go to Port-Gentil for a third-place play-off against Burkina Faso on Saturday.
“I am more than unhappy. We wanted so much to be in the final,” said a deflated Ghana coach Avram Grant.
“We did everything to be there and in the second half we completely dominated. Congratulations to Cameroon of course but we were the better side and we lost.”
Just as in their quarter-final win against DR Congo, Ghana were once again without Asamoah Gyan at kick-off as their captain struggled to shake off a groin injury.
In his absence, the Black Stars were second best for most of the first half and Cameroon were unfortunate not to be in front after a lively start to the match.
Moukandjo, the France-based captain of this inexperienced Cameroon side, also headed onto the roof of the net as the Ghanaians weathered the storm.
With Andre Ayew struggling to get into the game from his position on the left flank, Grant’s side made little impression going forward until five minutes before half-time.
That was when Christian Atsu’s pass into the box split the Cameroonian defence and found Jordan Ayew, whose shot from a tight angle whistled just wide of Fabrice Ondoa’s far post.
In a reversal of roles, Ghana were the better team at the start of the second half with the lightning quick winger Atsu their main source of danger.
The Indomitable Lions steadied themselves and got the breakthrough from a set-piece of their own, the goal Cameroon’s first in almost five hours since Ngadeu netted the winner against Guinea-Bissau in the group stage.
Ghana then sent on Gyan for the closing stages but as they pushed men forward Bassogog broke downfield and beat Razak to make it 2-0 in the third minute of added time.