Two gaols in two minutes were enough for Cameroon to push Ivory Coast to second position in the African zone Group Three 2006 World Cup qualifiers. The patience of over 70.000 fans was already running out with ten minutes to go. Striker Samuel Eto’o dodged the off side trap in the 80th minute to beat goalkeeper Jean Jacques Tizie, thanks to a pass from Guy Feutchine.
The crowd had not finished celebrating when Feutchine perfectly finished a crossing from the left by Timothee Atouba two minutes later. The crowd then went completely bonkers, now certain that victory was theirs.
That did not stop the Indomitable Lions from searching for more goals against a battered Ivorian side. The tides went too much against the Ivorians that they began losing their head and finally finish the game with a man down.
Defender Didier Zokora violently kicked Pius Ndeifi inside Cameroon’s half and was expelled in stoppage time. A small brawl ensure as Geremi Njitap came to defend Ndiefi. Geremi harvested a yellow card for his vehement intervention.
Those lively moments enabled the fans to forget the other part of the game, especially the first half that was characterised by misses.
Ivory Coast got the best chances in the first half through Aruna Dindane. But Hamidou Souleymanou who was keeping the goal for the first for Cameroon had very strong hands to save his side.
Souleymanou had the best of a one on one situation in the 40th minute and pushed the ball over the line for a corner kick. A minute later Soulaymanou collected Aruna’s header from close range firmly. That was how far the Ivorians could get near Soulaymanou as the battle shifted to the midfield.
Aruna and Didier Drogba were the most dangerous strikers for Ivory Coast, but defenders Perrier Doumbe, Bill Tchato, substitute Patrice Abanda and skipper Rigobert Song succeeded to put them under control.
Coach Winfried Schafer praised them after the game, saying they had fought like lions.
“In the first half my players were not sure of themselves, they failed to be aggressive. But in the second half we got better and it was fantastic. Congratulations to my team”, Schafer said.
Bill Tchato was happy that they have finally dominated Ivory Coast. “Ivory Coast has a great side, but we have dominated them. We have to continue to be strong and solid to win a place in the 2006 World Cup finals”, Tchato said.
Song for his part was happy with the crowd for their great encouragement. He congratulated the fans and his mates for doing their best to crush the strongest opponents of the group.
“I am very satisfied because today we have accomplished out mission. We have demonstrated that we are still the best in Africa. We need to keep the same spirit and determination to continue to play our leadership role in Africa”, Song said.
Ivory Coast coach, Henri Michel regretted that they lost, but hope for a better future as there are still seven more games to go. He added that they did not deserve to lose after playing well in over seventy percent of the game.
Martin Etonge
