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MONASTIR, Feb 8: Nigeria dethroned African Nations Cup holders Cameroon when they came from a goal down to win 2-1 and reach the semifinals on Sunday. John Utaka scored the second-half winner on the breakaway after a tough quarterfinal tussle between the continent's two footballing superpowers.
Nigeria's win sets up another compelling encounter, against tournament hosts Tunisia in the last four on Wednesday. Utaka's was quickest to a telling pass from Nwankwo Kanu, placing his ball just wide of the Cameroon goalkeeper and into the net off the upright in the 73rd minute for the winner.
Cameroon had opened the scoring in the 42nd in similar circumstances through Samuel Eto'o, but their lead lasted a matter of minutes as Nigeria's captain Jay Jay Okocha scored another of his trademark free kicks for the halftime equaliser.
Eto'o's goal was also a quick counter-attack seconds after Nigerian defender Joseph Yobo had gone wide with a long-range effort at the other end of the pitch.
Geremi knocked a long pass into the path of Eto'o, who breezed past central defender Isaac Okoronkwo and expertly placed the ball into the net for his first goal of the tournament.
Nigeria drew level just before the interval after being handed a soft free kick on the edge of the area following a tug on the collar of Utaka's shirt by Cameroon defender Lucien Mettomo.
Okocha's well-established reputation for free kick expertise was given further credence with a curling shot that slammed into the back of the net before Cameroon goalkeeper Idriss Carlos Kameni had even moved.
Eto'o, favourite to win the African Footballer of the Year award, might have had Cameroon back in the lead three minutes before Utaka scored. His quick burst of pace put him clear on goal nut he hit his shot straight at Nigeria's goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama.
After Cameroon had gone 2-1 down, Eto'o lost a glaring opportunity from Geremi's corner, completely missing the ball with the goal at his mercy. Eto'o and substitute Pius Ndiefi also went narrowly close in four minutes of stoppage time as Nigeria nervously held on for the win. Okocha won the match of the match award but it was Yobo's defensive performance that proved decisive.
Nigeria last won the Nations Cup in Tunisia 10 years ago and now emerge as favourites to reclaim the African crown.
MOROCCO IN SEMIS
SFAX: Morocco clinched a place in semifinals with a 3-1 win over Algeria. The teams were all square at 1-1 after 90 minutes with Morocco scoring twice in extra time.
Morocco will face Mali in Sousse on Wednesday for a place in the final.
TUNISIA TRIUMPH
TUNISIA: Tunisia and Senegal left a nasty stain on the African Nations Cup on Saturday after the hosts won 1-0 in an unsavoury quarterfinal marred by scuffles and devoid of good football.
Mali went through with them after an injury-time goalkeeper's howler gifted them a 2-1 win over Guinea in a match of defensive mix-ups. Pascal Feindouno fired Guinea ahead and Frederic Kanoute equalised with his fourth goal of the competition as the two West African neighours at least produced some flashes of class.
There was nothing to celebrate in the Rades national stadium where midfielder Jaohar Mnari's 65th-minute header separated two bickering, niggling teams in a 50-foul match played in dense fog.
Play was delayed for four minutes as furious Senegal players and coaching staff protested that Liverpool forward El Hadji Diouf had been fouled in the build-up to the goal.
Diouf, the twice African Footballer of the Year, had to be restrained after the game from attacking the referee as Senegal bitterly contested the defeat. -Agencies
