Eurosport – Wed, 30 Jan 20:24:00 2008
Samuel Eto’o became the record goal-scorer in African Cup of Nations history as Cameroon made sure of qualification for the quarter finals with a 3-0 win over Sudan in their Group C match in Tamale.
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The Indomitable Lions quickly seized control of a rather disappointing first half.
Sudan goal-keeper Mahjoub El Moez was called into action inside two minutes, when Joseph Desire Job latched onto a long throw down the left and forced him into a smart save before Eto’o saw a half-volleyed effort parried and then lashed the follow-up over the crossbar from six yards.
But the Barcelona man didn’t have long to wait to make amends for those uncharacteristic misses.
After 25 minutes Yousef Alaeldin was penalised for tugging back Achille Emana inside the Sudan penalty area, and Eto’o stepped up to place the ball past El Moez and net his record-breaking 15th African Cup of Nations goal.
Sudan offered very little as an attacking threat, and Cameroon went 2-0 up 10 minutes later when Epalle drilled the ball into the box from the right and Hamouda Bashir’s attempted clearance struck Mohamed Ali Khider and bounced over the line.
The opening stages of the second period saw both sides exchange goal-scoring opportunities, as Sudan finally began to take the game to their opponents.
Alaeldin forced Carlos Kameni into a good save with a drive from the edge of the box, and from the ensuing corner Haitham Tambal sent a volley over the crossbar after being picked out at the back post.
Kameni then had to be alert to keep out a left-footed curler from Faisal Agab before Cameroon substitute Bertin Tomou put a header straight at El Moez at the other end.
Sudan’s efforts produced a few nervy moments for Otto Pfister’s side, but in injury time Eto’o galloped through to slot the ball home and set the seal on his side’s victory.
Cameroon will play the winners of Group D in the quarter finals.
