AFCON 2017 Finals Preview: Egypt face Cameroon in repeat of 2008 final

AFCON 2017 final (Sunday, 5th February 2017): Egypt Vs Cameroon

Stade De L’Amitie, Angondje – Libreville (Gabon)
Kick off: 8:00 p.m (Local time) – 10:00 p.m (East Africa Standard Time)
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[/media-credit] Action from Cameroon’s Christian Bassogog (shirt 13) against Gabon during a group A match at Stade De L’Amitie Credit: © Kawowo Sports | AMINAH BABIRYE

Two Africa footballing giants Egypt and Cameroon will take to the field on Sunday night in the final of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations at Stade De L’Amitie.

It will be the 32^nd game of the 31^st edition of the tournament that has been held since 1957.

The Gabon head of state Ali Bongo Ondimba, CAF president Issa Hayatou, CAF dignitaries, football legends, federation presidents of all the 16 finalists, a multitude of fans and an avalanche of journalists will be expected in the stadium.

[/media-credit] CAF Boss Issa Hayatou with the Gabon President Ali Bongo Ondimba and Guinea Bissau counterpart, José Mário Vaz during the opening ceremony three weeks ago in Libreville Credit: © Kawowo Sports / DAVID ISABIRYE

Two unbeaten sides face each other in arguably the biggest game of the tournament.

Egypt will be chasing for their 8^th title while Cameroon look set to capture their 5^th.

Both countries are unbeaten thus far, having built on a slow start to the tournament.

The two countries both started with draws in their respective group matches.

Egypt was held by Mali to a scoreless draw before they overcame Uganda 1-0 in the second game and winning by an identical score in the final group game.

On the other hand, Cameroon was held by Burkina Faso 1-1 in their Group A opener before fighting to come from a goal down and defeat debutants Guinea Bissau 2-1 in the second match. During the last group game, they frustrated the hosts Gabon in a goalless stalemate.

Whereas Egypt has so far scored 4 goals and conceded once in 5 matches, Cameroon has let in 2 goals and scored 5 themselves.

The final on Sunday is a repeat of the 2008 final where Egypt pipped the West African country 1-0 to win their 8^th crown.

Tactics:

Egypt love to sit back and plan their moves to the opposition. They have frustrated many teams with this style of play as they latch quick counter attacks orchestrated by Mohammed Salah.

Goalkeeper and the team captain Essam El Hadary provides the leadership and experience from the back that also has Hull City’s Ahmed Elmohamady Abdelfattah Aly Eissa.

He has won 3 titles and eyes his 4^th title that would possibly give him an excellent retirement package.

Cameroon has been a joy to catch in this tournament with excellent team work display.

They are quick off the blocks on either flanks with a solid midfield marshalled by Heart of Midlothian midfielder Arnaud Djoum Sutchin, team skipper Benjamin Moukandjo and KV Oostende’s Clovis Siani Sebastien.

It is one game where the finest details will surely decide the final outcome for the match.

The best tactics on the day win the match for the respective team.

[/media-credit] Hector Raul Cuper (right) with his interpreter during a press conference in Gabon Credit: Kawowo Sports | AMINAH BABIRYE

Egypt’s Raul Hector Cuper and his counterpart from Cameroon, Henri Hugo and Broos lock horns for the first time.

Cuper started with 3-2-4-1 against Burkina Faso before he adjusted depending on the trend of the game.

“I have watched my opponents and will know how to play in the final,” Cuper, speaking in Spanish told the media through an interpreter.

Broos is a darling of 4-3-3 with preference of a ghost winger who also punishes the opposition on the break.

“We are aware of the counter-attack threat from the Egyptians. I will only tell my players what to do on the day,” Broos as he addressed the media in Franceville after the second semifinal on Thursday night.