February 09, 2008	Saturday	Safar 01, 1429

ACCRA, Feb 8: Cameroon were rewarded for the strength of their bench when they overcame hosts Ghana 1-0 in the African Nations Cup semi-final.

The Indomitable Lions held their nerve and a second-half goal by substitute Alain Nkong was enough to send them into Sunday’s final.

Since their 4-2 opening defeat by Egypt, whom they will meet again in the final, Cameroon have made several changes and were the freshest team.

“After the first defeat we made the changes we needed to get back in the tournament,” Cameroon coach Otto Pfister told reporters.

Pfister, who hit out at the Ghana media, said it was impossible to win the Nations Cup with the same starting 11 throughout.

“The Ghana press, they were too confident, saying ‘we will bring the Cup, we are the strongest. But you have to play football before that,” he said.

“There is no such thing as a first-choice line-up. It’s Africa. With the weather, the players just cannot play on and on. They need to rest,” added Pfister, who has 25-years’ experience in African football, coaching Zaire, Tunisia, Ghana, Egypt and Togo, whom he took to the 2006 World Cup finals.

Cameroon believe they are now ready to avenge their first-round defeat by Egypt.

In the other semi-final, defending champions Egypt reached their second successive African Nations Cup final by playing a stylish, passing game in a tournament where most other teams have favoured raw physical power.

The Egyptians trounced hot favourites Ivory Coast 4-1 in a rematch of the 2006 final, which they won on penalties after a goalless draw.

On that occasion, Egypt’s fifth Nations Cup title was largely attributed to the advantage of playing on home soil in a tournament marred by controversial refereeing.

This time, their slick football has been one of the highlights of the tournament and there is little argument that they deserve their place in Sunday’s final against Cameroon.

Eleven of the 16 coaches who began the Nations Cup are European and their influence has been clear with most teams playing a fast and furious game.

The Ghana-Cameroon semi-final played was fairly typical as the midfield was often bypassed and the tackles flew in.

In contrast, Egypt bore more resemblance to a South American side, stroking the ball around in midfield and patiently trying to work an opening. At one stage they strung more than 40 passes together.—Reuters