Cameroon head coach Hugo Broos has related his side’s win to their physical incisiveness against a very skilled Egypt team after lifting the Afcon 2017 trophy at Stade de l’Amitie in Libreville on Sunday.
The Belgian tactician admitted that the Indomitable Lions struggled in midfield in the opening 45 minutes but a tactical debrief at half time solved all their problems.
“We were tactically not in good positions in the first half because Egypt dominated the midfield. I tried to tell the players but they did not understand so I waited for the half time break to explain,” pointed out the tactically astute Broos.
Arsenal’s Mohamed Elneny opened the scoring in the 21st minute when he found the back of the net with a fantastic strike past goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa to give the Egyptians something to smile about at the break.
However, a spirited comeback in the opening minutes of the second half built an incredible foundation for Broos’s outfit to take over the tempo of the game as they sought an equaliser.
“At half time, I showed the players what to do and they did as I asked. We were physically better than Egypt and that is why we won this game.”
After substitute Nicolas Julio Nkoulou headed home past the legendary Egyptian goalkeeper,Essam El Hadary, confidence exuded from the Cameroon squad.
A late incredible goal by substitute Aboubakar Vincent won it for the Cameroonians as they lifted their fifth Afcon title in front of a fully packed Stade de l’Amitie.
Cameroon have now won five Afcon titles including 1984, 1988, 2000, 2002 as well as 2017 ahead of Afcon 2019 that they will host in their back yard.
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