Sport

Cousin's strike produces another upset

SOCCER - AFRICAN NATIONS CUP: THIS YEAR’S tournament threw up another upset yesterday afternoon as Gabon took down one of the…

Cameroon's Achille Emana (right), is challenged by Gabon's Georges Ambourrouet at Tundavala Stadium yesterday.
Cameroon's Achille Emana (right), is challenged by Gabon's Georges Ambourrouet at Tundavala Stadium yesterday.
Thu Jan 14 2010 - 00:00

SOCCER - AFRICAN NATIONS CUP:THIS YEAR'S tournament threw up another upset yesterday afternoon as Gabon took down one of the cup favourites, Cameroon, in the first Group D game. Hull City striker Daniel Cousin took advantage of a defensive mix-up to grab the only goal after 17 minutes, and no amount of Cameroon pressure thereafter could produce an equaliser.

Cameroon did all the early pressing with Landry N’Guemo going close before Didier Ovono had to turn Achille Emana’s snap shot on to the post and out for a corner. It was against the run of play when Gabon snatched the lead. Cameroon’s defence allowed a mis-kicked pass from Cedric Moubamba to find its way into the path of Cousin, who slipped a shot past Carlos Kameni.

Cameroon almost responded moments later as Alex Song surged forward. The midfielder was brought down on the edge of the area but the referee waved play on as the ball fell for Pierre Webo, who saw his low shot saved.

Geremi’s long-range free-kick then seemed to have Ovono in trouble, but he punched it away.

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The second half took time to come to life but Emana almost scored an explosive equaliser with a long-range half-volley out of nothing that flashed wide. A quick free-kick just before the hour mark released Emana inside the area but as he closed on the goalkeeper he sliced his shot wide.

Cameroon were struggling to get star striker Samuel Eto’o involved and his first decent shot from inside the area was deflected wide. Emana then forced a good save from Ovono before substitute Somen Tchoyi flashed a shot wide.

Ovono made a good save to keep out Geremi’s deflected free-kick in the final minute of normal time and Song then sent Cameroon’s last chance over the crossbar. Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang smashed the ball against the crossbar in injury time, but Cousin’s strike proved enough.

CAMEROON:Kameni, Song, N'Koulou, Bedimo (Enoh 76), Song Billong, Emana, Geremi, Makoun, N'Guemo (Tchovi 46), Webo (Idrissou 64), Eto'o. Subs not used: Hamidou, Binya, Chedjou, Alo'o Efoulou, M'bia Etoundi, Mandjeck, Matip, Bikey, Ndy Assembe.

GABON:Ovono Ebang, N'Guema Obane, Moundounga, Ecuele Manga, Ambourouet, Apanga, Kessany Zategwa, Mbanangoye (Djissikadie 64), Moubamba, Ndoumbou (Willy Aubameyang 77), Cousin. Subs not used: Nguema Bekale, Copa, Akouassaga, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mouloungui, Arsene Do Marcolino, Fabrice Do Marcolino, Issiemou, Moto, Moro Mve. Booked: N'Guema Obane, Ndoumbou.

Referee:Daniel Bennet (South Africa).