Abuja, Nigeria, Oct 17, GNA – Cameroon extended their continental soccer supremacy to the under 23 level when they beat hosts Nigeria by two goals to nil at the National Stadium in Abuja in the final of the soccer segment of the Eighth All Africa Games.
Marcus Mokake Mwambo spoilt the fun for the Nigerians when he scored as brace to add the African Games championship to the Nations Cup and the Youth Championship title already in their kitty. The support striker headed in the first one after tormentor in chief, Daniel Jules Oscar Wansi had wriggled through the Nigerian defence and squeezed a low ball into the penalty area.
Mwambo reacted faster than the Nigerian defenders and shot at goal but goalkeeper Sunday Gadimoh did well to block the first effort, only for the ball to thread the path of Mwambo again and he made no mistake with a tame header that announced the first goal on 42 minutes.
Back from recess, the Nigerians upped their game, but the leaders put up a resolute defensive formation that starved the hosts of scoring opportunities as their back line either moved quickly to net them in offside or cleared sturdily out of danger.
Cameroon continued to live dangerously but try as the Nigerians did, they could not break down the rear guard of their opponents.
About 12 minutes into the second half, the home fans threw missiles unto the field in protest against what they perceived to be a bad call by referee Mochubela Walter of South Africa. He failed to award a goal when an effort by Abiodun Oluwasegun slammed against the upright and returned into play.
The Cameroonians soaked the Nigerian pressure for a long spell in the second half and appeared content with occasional fast breaks, one of which resulted in the second goal, late in the match.
Central defender Cyrille Ndiba won the ball deep in his own half and squared a pass to Ngon Guy Bertrand on the left. Bertrand switched play with a single touch to the right where Wansi picked the ball and dashed down the flank before sending a precise pass, which Mwanbo tucked in for the second goal.
The goal incensed the home fans as they started trooping out of the stadium, while some of those who had the guts to remain went back to the missile throwing exercise. Before the end of the match, about half of the supporters who over-flowed the stands before kick off had vacated.
Ghana picked the bronze while Nigeria got the silver and the ultimate, the gold, going to Cameroon. In the female category, Nigeria beat South Africa by a lone goal to win the gold. Blessing Igbojionu broke down the South African resistance in the 85th minute to send the crowd into celebrations before the men’s match.
Cameroon female won the bronze with a one, nil victory over Mali in a match decided on Wednesday.
Richard Avornyotse, GNA Special Correspondent at the Eighth All Africa Games in Abuja
