African Nations Cup: Cameroon 1 - 2 Nigeria
Cameroon's hopes of a third straight Nations Cup were dashed by Nigeria, who played with renewed conviction and are now clear favourites to take the trophy they last held aloft in Tunisia 10 years ago.
Nigeria have lost in three finals to Cameroon, leading some to speak of a jinx, but that superstition was convincingly debunked yesterday. "Before it was Cameroon time," said Nigeria's coach Christian Chukwu. "All that has changed now and it is the time of Nigerian dominance."
In the opening half-hour the Super Eagles impressed with their passing and willingness to attack. But one foray left them exposed and Geremi's perfect ball allowed Samuel Eto'o to run through and strike home with his left foot.
It took Jay-Jay Okocha less than five minutes to equalise, the Nigeria captain's free-kick rising over the wall before curling and fading into the far corner. It lifted his team and they took control. The winner came when Nwankwo Kanu's disguised through-ball found John Utaka in acres of space and he scored with a firm shot.
Man of the match: Jay-Jay Okocha (Nigeria).
Cameroon (4-4-2): Kameni; Perrier Doumbe, Mettomo, Song, Tchato (Idrissou, 62); Geremi, Djemba-Djemba, Mbami, Atouba; Eto'o, Mboma (Ndiefi, 78).
Nigeria (4-4-2): Enyeama; Abbey, Yobo, Okoronkwo, Udeze; Utaka, Okocha, Olofinjana, Lawal; Kanu (Enakahire, 90), Odemwingie (Ikedia, 90).
Referee: M Guezzaz (Morocco).