| Stadium: | Nossa Senhora do Monte | ||
| Attendance: | 15,000 | ||
| Match Time: | January 17, 2010, 18:30 UK | ||
| Official(s): | Abdullah Ibrahim (Referee) | ||
| Cameroon | Zambia | ||
| Geremi (68) | Jacob Mulenga (8) | ||
| Samuel Eto’o (72) | Christopher Katongo (pen 82) | ||
| Mohammadou Idrissou (86) | |||
After the previous three matches in the 2010 African Nations Cup bored your correspondent to tears, it was good to see a five goal thriller that has really mixed up Group D.
This win elevated Cameroon into second place in the Group, but with their final game to come against third placed Tunisia, there are still no guarantees that they will go through to the knockout stages.
In a topsy turvy game, Zambia absolutely bossed the first half and deservedly went ahead after just 8 minutes after some crazy defending by Rigobert Song. Song attempted to head a cross from Katango, but only succeeded in powering a point blank header straight at his own keeper. The ball fell to Mulenga who tapped in to give Zambia a one goal lead.
Cameroons Eto’o seemed to realise that he was playing in the African Nations Cup finally and after one weak shot he dragged wide, he forced a good save from Mweene (whos name is childishly my second favourite name in this tournament).
Zambia should have been further ahead just before half time when Rainford Kalaba drive a fierce free kick at the Cameroon goal. From the rebound Katongo shot straight at the keeper. The Mulenga completely failed to get anything on a free kick when only 6 yards out.
In between these two chances Cameroon had the ball in the net, but Idrissou’s header was judged to be offside.
Finally, in the 68th minute Cameroon drew level from a mistake by the inconsistent but highly entertaining Mweene. Geremi sent in a right wing cross and Mweene helped it into his own net. Four minutes later and Cameroon took the lead. Eto’o collected Tchoyi’s cross and fired across goal into the far corner.
However, Cameroon goalie must have taken some training from Mr Mweene as in the 82nd minute he hacked down Mulenga on the edge of the penalty area to concede a penalty. Christopher Katongo stepped up and converted to make it 2-2 with 8 minutes to go.
The goals didn’t end there though. With just 4 minutes to goal, Geremi swung in a long free kick and Idrissou headed into the bottom corner to secure all three points.
Group D
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| Gabon | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 4 |
| Cameroon | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Tunisia | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Zambia | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | –1 | 1 |