The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon are the champion of Africa thanks to the 89th minutes strike by substitute Vincent Aboubakar for a 2-1 victory of the Pharaohs of Egypt in the final of the 2017 African Cup of Nations.
Cameroon, who had eight of their players withdraw before the tournament, came from a goal down after midfielder Mohamed Elneny had put Egypt ahead midway through the first half.
Nicolas Nkoulou equalized on the hour and, as Egypt tired, Cameroon appeared to find a new gear, creating several chances before Aboubakar struck the winner in the 88th minute after chesting the ball down and flicking it over defender Ali Gabr.
Egypt’s 44-year-old ‘keeper, Essam el-Hadary, watched the tournament-winning shot slide past him right at the end to deny the Egyptians a record-extending eighth title, and el-Hadary a fifth triumph an incredible 19 years after his first.
Cameroon, already chosen to host the next Cup of Nations, will be defending champion for the 2019 tournament.
“Yes it shows the character, but that I knew from the beginning,” Cameroon’s Belgian coach Hugo Broos said. “I said a few times, I do not have 23 players, I have 23 friends. It’s really unbelievable … I think this is the reason why we won.”
