Egypt 4-2 Cameroon

Sudan 0-3 Zambia

606: DEBATE Your thoughts on the action

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By Alistair Magowan

2142: Right another day over in the Africa Cup of Nations and nine goals in two games is what I call entertainment. Great result for Egypt, and Zambia will be buzzing tonight. Although no-one in the country may have seen it as the national broadcaster failed to secure a TV rights deal for the tournament! Might be worth trying to resurrect that one lads, the Cameroon match on Saturday could be pure box office!

From me and my colleague Paul Fletcher thanks for all your comments and contributions, see you soon for more of the same.

2135: "Could this be the season for Zambia!! Look out for Zambia, they are back in the equation."
mtighil on 606
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2120: FULL-TIME SUDAN 0-3 ZAMBIA
Easy ride in the end for Zambia. Their next game against Cameroon on Saturday looks like it could be crucial.

2116: Zambia's star man Felix Katongo is taken off with a knock. Doesn't look too serious though and he's pestering the ref to come back on.

2112: Fine finger tip save from Sudan keeper Mahjoub El Moez from a Jacob Mulenga header. About ten rolls on the floor afterwards mind, but we'll let him off as it was a beaut of a stop.

2107: Sudan sub Alaeldin Babiker strikes a shot from the left of the penalty after good approach work but it's straight at the Zambian keeper Kennedy Mweene. The Sudanese look deflated.

Meanwhile in north London Robbie Keane has just scored for Spurs to put them 3-0 up and 4-1 on aggregate in the Carling Cup semi-final second leg. Far from deflated there and you can follow the action with my colleague Saj Chowdhury.

2102: "I'm at work not far from the baba yara stadium. Looks like we are having a very good game, judging from the cheers I am hearing."
kofibruku on 606
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2056: Things are drifting in this game now as Hamouda Bashir wastes a good chance for Sudan by thumping the ball high and wide. But the brass band is still parping in the background. Every football match should have one.

2052: A team of Zambia's calibre should win this.
Stuart, Vancouver via text

Spot on Stuart any further predictions for the tournament?

2050: "I doubt if Sudan can stir up a comeback... the Nile Crocodiles look toothless at the back."
jdnp_cfc_gh on 606
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2045: GOAL Sudan 0-3 Zambia
Zambia's Rainford Kalaba is played down the right channel and his shot is saved before Felix Katongo pounces on the rebound and shoots early into the net. Game over I'd say now.

2043: The big man Faisal Agab goes off. Pity, I was warming to him but he is 37-year-old so he probably needs a rest after his rapid bursts down the left flank.

2039: A goal at the start of each half for Zambia and the Sudan defence is looking shaky. Game over anyone?
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2036:GOAL Sudan 0-2 Zambia
A right-wing corner is headed against the bar before if drops to Jacob Mulengaa who nods it into the bottom corner.

2035: That man again Faisal Agab goes close for Sudan with a downward header which is tipped over the bar.

2032: Underway again Kumasi.

2031: Some good points from the boys in the studio just across London from us. Foreign coaches seem to get the thumbs up from Sunday Oliseh and Leroy Rosenior as long as they are committed and help the game's development.

Don't forget more of the same tomorrow when we will be discussing African success stories in the Premier League. And you can play your part. Visit the African football page on Wednesday for more details.

2016:HALF-TIMESudan 0-1 Zambia
Evenly poised with Sudan looking the stronger. Should make for a good second half.

2012: With Sudan starting to dictate things in midfield it's time to introduce you to the teams' nicknames. Sudan v Zambia is also known as the Nile Crocodiles v the Chipolopolo. So now you know.

2005: Not sure how long that lead will last though. Faisal Agab is looking dangerous down the left for Sudan.

2003: "Zambia are looking good, when Chris Katongo is back they might be able to surprise Cameroon or possibly Egypt."
jojon440 on 606
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2001: Sudan miss a great chance when Zambia keeper Kennedy Mweene flaps at a cross and Alaeldin Ahmed Gibril blazes over with the goal gaping.

1954: Early sub for Sudan. Mugahid Mohamed is taken off for Yousif Hado and the replacement has a good early shot after his first touch. The Sudanese are looking steady after the shock of going behind.

1951: It might not be the glamour tie of the day after Egypt's emphatic win over Cameroon, but there seems to be more people in the stadium for this game. And guess what? Those trumpets are still going for it with gusto.

1948: "Brilliant effort from Sudan. Almost the clear goal of the tournament there. Sudan are playing some really nice football here."
Zippy, George and Bungle on 606
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1946: Apologies for the delay but here are the starting line-ups if you're interested.

Sudan: Elmuiz Abdalla, Bakhit, Ali Elkhidir, Eldin Ahmed Gibril, Lado, Karar, El Bashir, Bader Eldin Abdalla, Ahmed, Kamal Tambal, Agab Sido.
Subs: Ali Idris Farah, Babiker, El Basha Adam, El Hadi Salem, El Tayeb, Hameed Amari, Hassan Ali, Hassan, Kuku, Mohamed Abdalla, Tahir Osman, Yousif Hado.

Zambia: Mweene, Nketani, Musonda, Mwanza, Hachilensa, Bakala, Kalaba, Felix Katongo, Jacob Mulenga, Phiri, Chamanga.
Subs: Chinyama, Himonde, Kakonje, Kampamba, Kasonde, Mayuka, Clifford Mulenga, Njovu, Poto, Sunzu.

1942: Sudan almost strike back with a beautiful half-volley from Badreldin El Doud from the edge of the Zambia penalty area which smashes into the post.

1939: James Chamanga bursts down the right and crosses for Felix Kantongo who pulls his shot wide. Zambia, who qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations with a shock win over South Africa, look like they are worthy of their place here.

1938: "How quick was that goal?"
Peanutter on 606
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1933: GOAL SUDAN 0-1 ZAMBIA
James Chamanga plays a one-two with Jacob Mulenga and smashes the ball into the far corner from the edge of the box within two minutes. Great start.

1931: We're underway in Kumasi.

By Paul Fletcher

1922: Right no rest for the wicked. The Sudanese and Zambian teams are out on the pitch in the Baba Yara stadium shaking hands with the usual guests and dignitaries, Time for the national anthems. Altogether now....

1917: Another quick reminder to watch our TV debate if you are following us on your computer. At half-time of the Sudan-Zambia at approximately 2015 GMT former Nigeria captain Sunday Oliseh and ex-West Ham striker Leroy Rosenior will be discussing the influence of foreign coaches in African football.

You can watch it here so don't go anywhere.

1903: Yahoo the Pharaohs have made it. Well done boys. We will be the champions, trust me!
Dr Mustapha R, Saudi Arabia

1853: Full-time Egypt 4-2 Cameroon
A match as brilliant for Egypt as it was a disaster for Cameroon. The late goal by Eto'o was nothing more than a consolation for the not-so-Indomitable Lions and does not mask the fact that his team were well beaten.

1851: GOAL Egypt 4-2 Cameroon
Samuel Eto'o scores from the penalty spot - just. Essam Al Hadar dives the right way and makes good ground. Having done all the hard work he fails to stop the ball, which comes at him at a less than thunderous pace.

1851: PENALTY
Mahmoud Fathallah is penalised for handball.

1847: I'd just like to put on record nice and early how much I have enjoyed this game. Not great for Cameroon, obviously, and Roger Milla in the stands looks like he would rather be running back-to-back marathons, but some of the goals have come out of the top drawer.

1844: "I hope Egypt lose. I promised my mum I would clean my room if they win!"
Rolly22 on 606
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I'd start getting the dustpan and brush out if I was you.

"There's no coming back from this that's for sure. There'll be some soul searching at the Cameroon team hotel tonight."
BBC Sport pundit Efan Ekoku

1842: GOAL Egypt 4-1 Cameroon
Hosni Abd Rabou puts the seal on a superb victory for Egypt with a brilliant strike from 25 yards - and then engages in a touch of Raul-style fist-to-mouth goal celebrations. Once again, though, he was given far too much time to pick his spot. Not good enough by Cameroon, not by a long way.

1840: With Nigeria losing on Monday and now Cameroon facing defeat, the question must be asked - are these two powerhouses of African football in decline? Or is it just that they had very tough opening games?
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1836: With 15 minutes left it does not look as though Cameroon will be mounting a barnstorming finish to the match. Rigobert Song and Andre Bikey have both made superb last-ditch challenges in recent minutes and Egypt look the most likely to score next.

1834: "Watch out Africa. The Pharaohs are coming to get you. Well done Egypt."
M Soliman via text on +447786 202008

They have certainly had a Pharaoh time of it today.

1832: "The distribution has been erratic from most of the Cameroon players. They are not really turning the screw."
BBC Sport pundit Efan Ekoku

1829: No hat-trick for Zidan today as he makes way for a defender. Still, great to have the name back at the top table.

"Mohamed Zidan is so under-rated, I love watching him. Sad his early career was spent on the bench."
Yusuf_07 on 606
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1827: "What has happened to African football? It is like a revolution on the rampage. Cameroon used to be a force to be reckoned with. I cannot believe they are getting beat by Egypt."
Gunzchamp on 606
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Hey, let us not forget that Egypt are the defending champions. It looks like they have been underestimated going into this tournament.

1823: Essam Al Hadari comes out from his goal and makes a decisive punched clearance from Timothee Atouba's cross. Moments later, though, Al Hadari is nowhere near to a 20-yard strike from Eto'o. Thankfully for Al Hadari the ball is just wide of the target.

1820: Mohamed Aboutrika comes on for Egypt. The Magician, as he is known, has been suffering from flu but needs to raise it now as Cameroon are on top, with Rigobert Song heading just wide. The only dribbling Egypt want from Aboutrika will see him ghost into the opposition penalty area.

1818: Rigobert Song is at his seventh Nations Cup and Geremi is playing at his sixth. If experience counts for anything...

1815: This match is becoming stretched and could just turn out to be the first great game of the tournament. The man sat to my left is making continual references to the Liverpool-AC Milan Champions League final in 2005.

1812: All of a sudden there is a lot more urgency about the Cameroon play and if Hassan Shehata was not looking relaxed before then he looks most definitely anxious now.

1811: GOAL Egypt 3-1 Cameroon What was I saying? The previously ineffectual Samuel Eto'o ghosts between two defenders and heads his team back into the match to convert a teasing Geremi cross.

1810: No hint as yet of a spectacular comeback by Cameroon. Not that Egypt coach Hassan Shehata looks particularly relaxed, barking orders at his players from the sidelines.

1808: "Does anyone else think Zidan look like Vin Diesel?"
TheTruthabtFooty on 606
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I don't know what he looks like. Anyone got any thoughts on the matter?

1805: The match resumes in Kumasi. Eto'o was rallying his troops in the tunnel as they walked out, real Churchillian stuff. Cameroon have made a double change, with midfield duo Achille Emana and Alexandre Song coming on.

1800: Just a word on what is happening later. At half-time in the Sudan-Zambia fixture, approximately 2015 GMT, live coverage of the BBC's Africa Cup of Nations TV coverage will be streamed live on this site.

The big issue being debated is the influence of foreign coaches in African football and you could get your question asked by simply posting it on our 606 forum.
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1758: A little bit of chat on Mohamed Zidan for those who don't know too much about him. He joined FSV Mainz in Germany from Werder Bremen in January 2007 and scored 13 goals in 15 Bundesliga games. Mainz were still relegated, though, and he joined Hamburg in June.

In the 2003-04 season he was top scorer in the Danish league, playing for Midtjylland and scoring 19 goals.

1752: "Surely that's the killer goal by Zidan. What a fantastic strike. Without doing anything special Egypt are 3-0 up."
BBC Sport pundit Efan Ekoku

1750: Half-time Egypt 3-0 Cameroon
Egypt take a fully deserved lead into the break - one would have to say on the evidence so far probably decisive. Cameroon are looking far from indomitable. More like the Shell-shocked Lions.

Zidan kisses a television camera as he enters the Egypt dressing room.

1748: GOAL Egypt 3-0 Cameroon Cracking finish from Mohamed Zidan, who lashes a left-foot screamer into the top corner. Very obliging, as well, of the Cameroon side to give him plenty of space and time to pick his spot.

1744: "I reckon Ivory Coast may be better than Scotland or USA - or even England."
Top Edge on 606
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Wow, easy tiger. More a bludgeoned six than a top edge there. Still, I wouldn't put any money on England to beat Ivory Coast.

1742: Geremi plays a decent looking ball into the Egypt penalty box - King Kev at Newcastle will like the look of that - but again it comes to nothing. It has been that sort of half for Cameroon.

1740: Still a good five minutes or so to half-time and Cameroon make a change, with Jean Makoun replaced by Gilles Augustin Binya. Makoun does not seem to be injured. Coach Otto Pfister, one presumes, is far from thrilled.

1738: Hosni Abd Rabou is harshly penalised for a foul and engages in some very European style finger wagging at the referee. As if to say no, no, no, no, no. Abd Rabou currently plays for Ismaily in Egypt but used to be at Strasbourg.

1735: "It could certainly be 3-0 or 4-0 rather than 2-1."
BBC Sport pundit Efan Ekoku

1735: Lots of noise inside the stadium - and I know which set of supporters are the happiest. We have not seen much of Eto'o so far and the men from Cameroon are lacking inspiration.

1731: Not surprisingly Egypt are content to knock the ball about when in possession.

And just to confirm, Mido has a fractured pubic bone, not a public bone as earlier stated. Though I do like the idea of a public bone, as though if you have fractured it you have somehow become all mean spirited and withdrawn your monthly subscription to the Cats Protection League.

1728: Cameroon, stunned by Egypt's quick-fire double, are trying to force their way back into the contest. They win a couple of corners but they come to nothing.

1719: "What a wonderful goal. Not too sure about the "hot potato celebration" though."
supertottenham1989 on 606
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1718: GOAL Egypt 2-0 Cameroon
The Indomitable Lions are taking a pharaoh-old battering. Mohamed Zidan scores a goal worthy of his surname, slotting home into the bottom corner after a blistering break in which he first picked the ball up in his own half before racing forward to collect a return pass.

1716: GOAL Egypt 1-0 Cameroon
A really well taken penalty by Hosni Abd Rabou puts Egypt in front. Abd Rabou smashes the ball into the top corner at the second attempt. He stroked his first penalty home with great skill as well but had paused on his way to the ball and was made to take the kick again.

1715: PENALTY Andre Bikey is penalised for handball.

1715: (See 1630). "A cagey game of cat and mouse! This is the Africa Cup of Nations man. If anything it will be a cagey game of lion and gazelle!"
Mike W via text on +447786 202008

Point taken, man.

1710: Despite the empty seats there is plenty of noise in the ground. Getting them there trumpets sounding.

"I just wonder if Egypt can play with the same intensity they did at home two years ago. They are not one of my favourites."
BBC Sport pundit Efan Ekoku

Decent-ish start to the game, Egypt's Mohamed Shawky going close with a long-range effort.

1706: "Cameroon will beat Egypt. Ahmed Hassan is a huge loss for Egypt."
Kzrcfc26 on 606
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Great name Kzrcfc26. Hassan is suspended for this fixture. A little more info on the Mido injury - a fractured pubic bone. Don't fancy one of those.

1703: Zidan bursts through, but unlike the French version lacks composure when it matters most. Too many touches can cause problems in many different ways.

1702: The match starts in Kumasi. Lots of chat, back slaps and anticipation between the players. Egypt coach Hassan Shehata looks on. He is the first African coach to take charge of a team in this tournament - and this is the fifth game.

1659: "There are not less than 25,000 spectators in the stadium and I can see more people coming in."
BBC World Service reporter Inas Mazhar in the Baba Yara Stadium

1658: "What no Mido?"
desidevil666 on 606
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Not fresh news I'm afraid. The Egypt forward with the fiery attitude was ruled out with injury some time ago.

1655: No doubt about the star player in the Egpyt-Cameroon fixture. That honour goes to one Samuel Eto'o. Pure class. Eto'o is wiping sweat from his brow already and we haven't even started yet.

The Indomitable Lions have something resembling a fairly normal kit for this tournament, unlike that very street little number with no sleeves they fielded not so long ago.

1645: Something of a double header today in that both games take place in the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi. This venue has been renovated for the tournament and can hold 40,400. Wonder how many will be in there today?

1640: Zidan in the Egypt team - who would've thought it! Of course, as you all know, the player in question is Hamburg striker Mohamed Zidan.

Egypt, of course, won on home soil last time out but many people reckon that, like many a fine wine, they don't travel all that well. Agreed?

1635:TEAM NEWS
Egypt: El Hadari, Fathallah, Moawad, Gomaa, Hany Said, Fathi, Abd Rabou, Shawky, Zidan, Moteab, Zaki.
Subs: Abdel Monssef, Aboutriaka, El Mohamady, El Saeed, Fadl, Gamal, Hassan, Mohamed, Mostafa, Ibrahim Said, Shaaban, Sobhy.

Cameroon: Kameni, Song, Bikey, Atouba, Geremi, Makoun, N'Guemo, Epalle, Mbia, Idrissou, Eto'o.
Subs: Hamidou, Angbwa, Binya, Emana, Essola, Job, M'Bami, Mbarga, Nkong, Song Billong, Tchato, Tomou.

Referee: Modou Sowe (Gambia)

1630 GMT: Not too long now to kick-off between what, on paper at least, is the game of the day as reigning champions Egypt take on Cameroon.

Personally I'm looking for an early goal to ensure a good, open contest. Nothing worse than a cagey game of cat and mouse for 90 minutes.