Cameroon will face Egypt in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations final following a 2-0 win over Ghana in the second semifinal played at the Stade de Franceville, in the Gabonese city of Franceville, on Thursday evening.
Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui and Christian Bassogog were on target for the Indomitable Lions as their fairytale run continued as Hugo Broos led Cameroon to their first final since 2008.
Cameroon dominated the opening half hour, and following a rather cagey start, a chance from a corner-kick in the eighth minute sparked a relentless spell of pressure, with the Black Stars lucky to hold on.
Adolphe Teikeu lost his marker before directing a powerful header on goal, but lucky for the West Africans – who were playing in their sixth successive semifinal – Harrison Afful was well-positioned to clear off the line.
Robert Ndip Tambe then missed a golden chance in the 12th minute. Benjamin Moukandjo fired a pin-point ball into the area, but his teammate could only succeed in directing his resulting shot straight at Brimah Razak from close range.
Ghana’s best change of the opening stanza fell to Jordan Ayew in the 40th minute. The Swansea City man burst into the area before directing his rasping effort narrowly wide of goal from an acute angle.
The game was deadlocked at the break.
The Black Stars carried that momentum into the second stanza, and looked a better side after the interval – like they did against the Democratic Republic of Congo in the quarterfinal – but it would be Cameroon to take the lead.
Poor goalkeeping from a free-kick was punished as Ngadeu-Ngadjui pounced. The burly defender directied the ball into the back of the net in the 72nd minute of the match.
Avram Grant duly introduced Asamoah Gyan in an attempt to turn things around, but despite a late flurry, Ondoa and Co held firm before Bassogog sealed the deal in the third minute of stoppage time.
A cool finish by the Danish-based forward followed a swift counter-attack as the Indomitable Lions went marching on – against all odds.
Cameroon (0) 0
Ghana (0) 2 (Ngadeu-Ngadjui 72′ Bassogog 90+3′)
Cameroon: Ondoa; Fai, Ngadeu-Ngadjui, Teikeu, Oyongo – Siani, Djoum (Mandjeck 77′), Zoua – Moukandjo, Ndip Tambe (Aboubakar 73′), Bassogog
Ghana: Razak; Acheampong, Boye, Amartey, Afful – Wakaso, Acquah (Gyan 76′), Partey (Agyemang-Badu 86′) – Atsu, A.Ayew, J.Ayew
