Breaking: Cameroon Win AFCON 2017 Cup in Gabon

By: Olajide Toriola

After three weeks of interesting football action in Gabon 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Cameroonians have emerged Champions of the continent for the next two years.

Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny had given Egypt the lead midway through the first half and Egypt seemed to be on course to winning an unrivalled eighth Cup of Nations crown in their first appearance at the tournament since 2010.

But Nicolas Nkoulou, who had come off the bench in the first half, headed in the equaliser just before the hour mark and his fellow Vincent Aboubakar who came off the bench slammed in the winner in the 88th minute.

However, it was like a dream to the Egyptians when Cameroon fought back from behind to beat them 2-1 in a thrilling Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday.

That sparked bedlam in a near-capacity crowd of more than 38,000 in Gabon’s capital, made up in its majority by Cameroonian supporters.

It is a fifth Cup of Nations crown for the Indomitable Lions, a first since 2002, and the first time they have beaten Egypt in the final in three attempts.

Egypt fell just short on their return to the competition after a seven-year absence, and the defeat will be especially painful for their coach Hector Cuper.

The Argentine was desperate to win a trophy after a career tainted by rotten luck in finals at club level, including back-to-back defeats in the UEFA Champions League with Valencia at the start of the last decade.

The host of AFCON 2019, Cameroon will be traveling in June this year to represent the African soil at the Russia 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.