1972 Ghost Revisits Lions, Salah-Mane ‘Bromance’ Halts Prior To AFCON Final

Just like in 1972 when Cameroon hosted and bowed out at the semis to Congo, 50 years later, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon have once more lost at the semis on home soil, to arch rivals Egypt.

After a quite competitive game, Egypt eliminated Cameroon from their own AFCON through the lottery of Penalties.

After the results, the Pharaohs will face Senegal on Sunday. It is a game the Liverpool fateful wouldn’t miss, as it pits two of their players; Mane and Salah, against each–other, fighting for continental supremacy.

For the Indomitable Lions, the dream of a home silverware has collapsed. Yaounde, galvanized by the returning of fans and resumption of activities at the Olembe stadium – ten days after the tragedy that cost the lives of eight people, Cameroon put the pressure from the start, looking for their go-to-guys: Vincent Aboubakar and Karl Toko-Ekambi. However, it was the Egyptian Salah who drilled a first shot, but his shot from the left passed over Onana’s goal-post, with 7 minutes on the clock.

13th Ngamaleu tried to reply with a free kick. It’s no problem for Gabalski.

18th Ngadeu places a looping header which scrapes the upright. Aboubakar then tries to push the ball on target, but it’s wide.

20th A few moments later, Ngadeu, again gets tangled up on a ball that was idling in the area, but he had a wild miss hit.

32nd Midway through and Cameroon was looking for a loophole. Egypt tried to bring down the pace set by the Cameroonians but Cameroon continued pushing. The Lions did so without however converting their chances: Ngamaleu entered the surface from the left side and got past his opponent, but there’s no end product.

40th There’s a pull back from the wings for Toko Ekambi, who misses ball – site. On the other end, Egypt rapidly picked it up. At the start of the action, Salah intelligently touched the ball, which deceived the entire Cameroonian defense, but Marmoush procrastinated too much. In the continuity of the action, a ball arrived on the head of Fathi and goalkeeper Onana made a routine save. It turned out to be offside!

The first period ended with a collision between Ngadeu and the Egyptian El-Wensh. The two eventually got up and continued with proceedings.

After the break, the Egyptians looked more slick with the ball on the carpet. Second half substitute Trezeguet was very tireless on the left side and the Pharaohs were finally showing initiative.

56th Hongla nearly offered the match on a plate of gold to his opponents with a moment of sheer madness. His back pass to Onana was short and Salah nearly reached there but the Cameroonian goalkeeper Onana – makes the perfect outing from 25 meters to momentarily save the night.

Egypt kept breaking the rhythm of the Indomitable Lions as they persistently went to ground.

61st Nicolas Ngamaleu set a quality cross into the area, but Abdelmonem checked it from reaching Aboubakar.

68th Toko Ekambi flicked a free kick with his header but Gabalski is present.

70th Oum Gouet tried a 30-meter missile which hit the side netting.

90th Often on the ground, the Egyptians struggled to break the rhythm and prevent the game from continuing. The coach of the Pharaohs, Carlos Queiroz, received a red card, for having agitated and protested on the side. A sanction that had been hanging over him for several matches.

Egypt seemed more at ease physically than their opponents, in extra time.

95th Trezeguet tried his luck at the corner of the area, but his shot is blocked.

101st Mohamed Salah’s effort on goal goes wide.

Cameroon seemed breathless and without ideas. Both teams simply spent the second period of extra time waiting for the penalty shootouts.

Then comes the penalty shootout, which Cameroon completely didn’t show up at.

Harold Moukoudi, Léa Siliki and Clinton Njie all missed their attempts. The dream for a home title ended for the Indomitable Lions. For Egypt, on the other hand, an eighth star is closer than ever.

Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane have played two finals apiece and lost; 2017 – Salah lost with Egypt to Cameroon, and in 2019; Mane and Senegal lost to Algeria.

The final comes up on Sunday February 6, while Cameroon plays for bronze against Burkina Faso.