Mali 2002 : Cameroon Densifies Trophy Bank

10 February 2002 at the Stade du 26 Mars in Bamako in Mali, Cameroon confirmed its supremacy on the continent as one of the most dreaded football powerhouses. In effect, the Indomitable Lions defeated Senegal in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations after post-match penalty shootouts 3–2 to win their fourth crown and the second in a row. Hosted by Mali, the Lions roared loudest in the face of all adversities.
Coming into the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations, the Lions were favourites, being the defending champions after winning the 2000 edition co-hosted by Ghana and Nigeria. Cameroon, at its 11th participation in the AFCON was pooled in Group C alongside DR Congo, Togo and Côte d’Ivoire. As expected, the Lions started well, though narrowly beating DR Congo 1-0 in their opening match. Patrick Mboma was the architect of the lone goal scored in the first half of the encounter. Mboma realised a similar feat in the second game against Côte d’Ivoire scoring the lone goal of that encounter that brought victory to the Lions. It was in the third match against Togo that Cameroon opened the flood gates. Mettomo, Eto’o and Olembé scored three goals as against 0 for Togo to help Cameroon advance to the quarterfinals as group leaders with nine points and all three matches won. 
As group C leaders, Cameroon met North African side Egypt in the quarters. Egypt was a feared opponent. At that time, the country had already won four trophies while Cameroon was still at three. The Cameroonian team knowing the calibre of the opponent they were going to meet, took the game with utmost importance and determination. The game was definitely one of the most awaited of the quarters. On that fateful February 4, 2002, Mboma stroke a second half goal to help Cameroon win the encounter. It was the lo...