Cameroon 5-1 Zambia
Match report

Egypt 3-0 Sudan

Match report

606: DEBATE Your thoughts on the action

To get involved use 606 or text us your views & comments on +447786 202008. (Not all contributions can be used)

By Russell Barder

2139: Day seven comes to an end and we can now look ahead to tomorrow's action in Group D where the games move to Tamale.

Senegal v Angola is the first game while it's north v south in the day's late kick-off with Tunisia taking on South Africa.

As for today, well we've learned quite a lot, especially about nicknames, and after laying down a challenge earlier (see 1914) I feel it is only right that one 606 poster has the last word. See you all back here tomorrow.

"Will the Eagles finally soar?
They're not very Super, not any more
Their cousins from Carthage aren't exactly pace setters
The Malians really need to get better

What of the Lions, do they show much pride?
Taranga took the lead, but then took a slide
Eventually, the Indomitable ones look quite fine
But the Atlas Lions have a mountain to climb

The Brave Warriors seem afraid of the dark
When the Black Stars walk into town
The Nile Crocodiles are just out of their depth
Shot by Copper Bullets, they quickly drown

The Squirrels and Black Antelopes are simply prey
The Bafana Bafana can't find their way
Which leaves us with 2 in the final to bid
The Elephants will crush the Pharaoh pyramid!"
philwray37 on 606
Join the debate on 606

2127: "I've seen both of Sudan's games and in both games they created more chances than the opposition, had periods of good play but still lost both 3-0."
cantonabeachsoccer on 606
Join the debate on 606

2122:FULL-TIME Egypt 3-0 Sudan
After a 32-year exile from the Cup of Nations it looks like Sudan are all but out of this year's competition after two 3-0 defeats. They were the better side in the first half but Egypt proved too strong and after going into the break 1-0 up they killed the game off in the second period.

Egypt are all but through to the next stage as they need just a point against Zambia to qualify.

2121: Ahmed Hassan has what will be probably be the final effort on goal. But his looping header goes harmlessly over.

2119: Not long left now and the fourth official has just indicated there will be three additional minutes.

2115: Egypt striker Emad Moteab appears to be caught by the trailing leg of Muhgoub as he challenges for an aerial ball. He goes down holding his back but is back up on his feet now and appears to be ok.

2111: GOAL Egypt 3-0 Sudan
If it wasn't game over before, it is now as Aboutraika adds his second and Egypt's third with seven minutes to go. He raced into the area and slotted the ball past Muhgoub at his near post. No slogans this time though.

2105: GOAL Egypt 2-0 Sudan
That is surely that. They make a meal of it but eventually Mohamed Aboutraika finds the back of the net for Egypt's second. Amr Zaki did all the hard work and could have scored himself but he rolled it across to Aboutraika who side-footed home from six yards.

The midfielder is targeting a career in politics after his football one has finished as he was booked for revealing the slogan 'Sympathy with Gaza' under his shirt.

2102: A nasty challenge from Saifeldin Farah results in yet another yellow card. He went in with his studs high and in the English Premier League that would have been red.

2101: "This is a lacklustre game, it's not the same Egypt that we saw beating Cameroon 4-2, they have wasted too many chances"
BBC World Service's Inas Mazhar at the Baba Yaro stadium

2059: I've found that the majority of later games that I have seen haven't been as entertaining or open as the first match and this one is certainly going the same way at the moment.

2056: We've still got over 20 minutes remaining and Sudan appear to be running out of ideas. Having said that, Egypt aren't offering much going forward either.

2053: Amir Damar appears to be stamped on by an Egyptian player, but it must have been out of site of the referee as nothing was given.

2048: Egypt are starting to get the better of Sudan now. You just feel the Sudanese had their chance in the first-half.

2043: Zidan shows us another glimpse of what he is capable of as he takes the ball down on his chest before seeing his volley well saved by Elmuez Muhgoub.

2042: "Good skill display by the Sudanese similar to the Zambian game. Too bad they were both up against superior sides."
Barcagunner
Join the debate on 606

2040: Badreldin al-Doud does brilliantly to race forward from his right full-back position but his shot lacked any sort of direction and it flew high and wide.

2034: It takes Egypt under a minute to test Salem, but Sayed Moawad's left foot shot is gathered up easily by Sudan's goalkeeper.

2033: The last 45 minutes of today's Cup of Nations action is under way.

2026: "Where do the Black Stars fit in this names galore? Seems to be the odd one out!"
From Obuampong in Accra on the text

2018: HALF-TIME Egypt 1-0 Sudan
Egypt haven't looked like the dominant force that they were expected to be in this game. Apart from their penalty they haven't posed Sudan too many problems.

2016: Two minutes added time at the end of the first half.

2013: We're only a couple of minutes away from the half-time interval and the referee from Benin, Coffi Codjia, brandishes his fifth yellow card. Sudan have by no means been outplayed by Egypt and they're still right in this game.

2011: I am reliably informed that Benin's nickname of the Squirrels was given to them by their FA president in the 1960's - see 2003. Apparently he wanted something to represent a small team that can climb high. No offence to Benin, but I still think that they have some climbing to do.

2008: Wael Gomaa takes one full in the face as the ball ricochets off one of his team-mates. He looks a little dazed but should be OK to continue.

2006: Alaeldin Yousif lets fly for Sudan from all of 30 yards. It was a well struck volley but he just couldn't keep in down.

2003: "Desert Hawks is lovely, but my favourite is The Squirrels of Benin. Out of all of Africa's beasts, is that the best nickname they could muster?"
Nick from Cape Town via the text
Join the debate on 606

1959: GOAL Egypt 1-0 Sudan
Hosny dusts himself off and scores the penalty down low to Muhgoub's left. However, the referee orders a retake and Hosny keeps his cool and send the ball the other way to give Egypt the lead against the run of play.

1957: PENALTY to Egypt
Sudan goalkeeper Elmuez Muhgoub brings down Hosny Abd Rabou in the area and it's a definite penalty.

1952: One of my esteemed BBC colleagues to my right has just said that Sudan are also known as the Nile Crocodiles. An even better nickname than the Desert Hawks don't you think?

1949: Sudan's captain Haitham Mustafa fancies his chances from outside the area and forces al-Hadary into making the save. The Egyptian keeper spills the ball, but gathers it at the second attempt.

1948: A good spot from Obuampong in Accra via the text. Today's games are indeed in Kumasi and not Tamale as I said earlier. I stand corrected.
Join the debate on 606

1946: Is the Desert Hawks the best nickname in the tournament? I'm certainly leaning that way.

1941: The Ghanaian crowd are roaring every touch from the Desert Hawks and al-Hadary is forced into another save.

1940: Mohamed Zidan gives us a first glimpse of what he is capable of as he bursts through the Sudan defence, but a great tackle stops him getting a shot in on goal. It's taken Egypt 10 minutes to create anything.

1934: Sudan very nearly take a surprise lead against the holders Egypt. Haytham Tambal's left-footed shot gives Essam al-Hadary in the Pharaohs goal some early work to do. The crowd's allegiance is very leaning much towards the Sudanese at the moment.

1930: We're under way again in Tamale. And our text service is also back up and running so get texting.

1914: "What nonsense display is this?
Zambia hammered to pieces
By Cameroon's invading Lions
In such suspicious fashion

Aside from the Lions' first goal
The others caught the Chipolopolo AWOL
With defenders in slumber
And their progress hopes a blunder

If the Lions can only score in such fashion
Then their hopes of success are one in a million
For I am almost certain
The Teranga Lions will not entertain
Neither will the Eagles of Tunisia
Cameroon's dream of euphoria."
supereaglesfan on 606
Join the debate on 606

Now that's the standard I'm expecting from those of you on 606. Excellent work supereaglesfan. I wonder if anyone can come up with something involving all the nicknames of the teams involved in the tournament?

1911: I've got my in between match refreshments and am all set for what hopefully will be another enthralling game in approximately 20 minutes.

1853:FULL-TIME Cameroon 5-1 Zambia
That game sees us break through the 40 goal barrier for this tournament. Both teams defended poorly, but it was Cameroon who made their opponents pay after being gifted three goals.

It was certainly a good game to warm us up for today and I have a feeling that we're in for a rather spicy match in today's late kick off.

1851: Two minutes of the allotted three minutes added time remaining.

1848: GOAL Cameroon 5-1 Zambia
A deserved goal for Zambia. A good cross from the left is swept home brilliantly by the captain Katongo who slid in to meet the ball. The speed with which he retrieved the ball, seems to indicate he believes they have a chance of getting back into this...

1847: "The Zambians are having what we call a bad day."
Mwanga on 606
Join the debate on 606

Think that is the understatement of the year so far.

1845: "Poor defending is not acceptable at this level. More needs to be done to the Zambian defence."
CanZam on 606
Join the debate on 606

1842: Another change for Zambia, Bakala makes way for William Njovu.

1840: GOAL Cameroon 5-0 Zambia
Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. We've just seen the howler of all howlers from Zambia's Clive Hachilensa. Job receives his second gift of the day as the defender inexplicably plays the ball past his goalkeeper into the path of the Nice striker. He couldn't miss from three yards. Yet another disaster for Zambia.

1838: Mulenga does test Kameni this time. A cracking right foot drive from the corner of the area is palmed over the bar by the Cameroon goalkeeper.

1837: Another shot from distance from Zambia and guess what... yep it flies harmlessly over the bar. If only some of those players had their shooting boots on today then we could be looking at a very different scoreline.

1835: Final change for Cameroon as scorer of the third goal Emana is replaced by Mohamadou Idrissou.

1833: Chris Katongo very nearly pulls a goal back for Zambia. His looping header hits the bar with the aid of a hand from Kameni and from the resulting corner Clive Hachilensa's header is cleared off the line. The Chipolopolo are not giving in here.

1831: Alex Song will want the pitch to swallow him up after that effort. He shanks his shot well, well wide. At least his side are winning comfortably.

1826: Another substitution for Cameroon. Modeste Mbami is being replaced by Jean Makoun.

1824:GOAL Cameroon 4-0 Zambia
Eto'o coolly slots home the penalty to equal the record for the most amount of goals scored in the Cup of Nations. Now, can he go on to beat it in this game?

1823: PENALTY to Cameroon
Eto'o shoots directly from a free-kick and it strikes the hand of Billy Mwanza. The referee had no hesitation pointing to the spot.

1821: Both teams are making a change. Cameroon bring on Alain Nkong to replace Gilles Binya, while James Chamanga is off and on comes Felix Sunzu for Zambia.

1820: The ball is given away needlessly in the centre of midfield by Alex Song and Katonga bursts through. However, he was stopped in his tracks by Alex's name sake Rigobert who makes a great sliding challenge.

1819: The noise inside the stadium resembles more of a brass band convention than a football match at the moment. It's making for a great atmosphere.

1817: Chamanga and Alex Song decide to have a little embrace, although I'm not sure how friendly their intentions were. Referee does well to break that one up.

1815: "The Lions are awake now and their claws fully extended."
hubertchia on 606
Join the debate on 606

1813: After a bright start, Cameroon are becoming far too casual at the back. Andre Bikey decides to pass the ball straight to Chamanga.

1810: Chamanga clatters into Cameroon goalkeeper Kameni who falls to the floor in rather dramatic fashion. Needless to say it is a free-kick to Cameroon.

1808: James Chamanga tries to make things happen and shoots from 30-yards that flies wide again. The Cameroonian defence will be happy if Zambia keep shooting like that.

1807: It doesn't look like Cameroon are going to let up here, they've started the second period as they finished the first.

1804: We're under way in the second half.

1800: Second half is moments away. Is there any way Zambia can come back into this?

1753: "Poor defending has made this game a no contest."
Adeweloveyou on 606
Join the debate on 606

Think that sums up the first half pretty well.

1749: HALF-TIME Cameroon 3-0 Zambia
Just on the stroke of half-time Ian Bakala forces a good save from Kameni, but there has been little to cheer from a Zambian point of view. Cameroon have been gifted two goals in Tamale and look to be in control.

1744:GOAL Cameroon 3-0 Zambia
A good through ball by Alexandre Song isn't dealt with by Isaac Chansa and Achille Emana rounds the keeper before coolly slotting home. Poor defending has again cost Zambia and this game is fast becoming a rout.

1741: A great effort by Eto'o that just skims the bar as it goes over. He let the ball drop over his shoulder before rifling in a right-foot volley inside the penalty area.

1740: Jacob Mulenga tries his luck from all of 30-yards. He certainly gets plenty of power behind his shot but it flies well over.

1738: A disappointing effort from Achille Emana who drags his 20-yard shot wide of goal. It's hard to see the Zambia getting back into this now.

1736: "Zambia are victims of their own mistakes here."
BBC World Service commentator Richard Connelly

1732: GOAL Cameroon 2-0 Zambia
The Chipolopolo have just shot themselves in the foot - it's a complete defensive disaster for the Zambian defence. First Kennedy Nketani missed his header and then Billy Mwanza took an air shot which let the grateful Job stride in to make it 2-0 with a simple right footed finish.

1728:GOAL Cameroon 1-0 Zambia
A fantastic free-kick from Geremi from the edge of the area gives Cameroon the lead. Eto'o shaped to hit it, but the Newcastle man stepped up and fired it home.

1726: A short corner catches Cameroon out and Chamanga's fierce drive tests Kameni. Still 0-0 with over a quarter of the game gone.

1723: Zambia fail to take their chance from a series of free-kicks, the latest from Clive Hachilensa is over hit and goes out for a goal-kick.

1719: In answer to Peeekay on 606, Malawi is sandwiched between Zambia, Tanzania and Mozambique towards the south of the continent. I've done my research.
Join the debate on 606

1717: Chamanga gets himself into a good position in the penalty are but fails to test Kameni as he shot drifts harmlessly over.

1713: "It's high time the authorities started letting people in for free. The swathe of empty seats is a major turn off."
redandblackT on 606
Join the debate on 606

Not a bad shout that one. It's pretty empty once again inside the Baba Yaro stadium in Tamale, but the fans that have turned up are making plenty of noise.

1711: Job does well down the left channel for the Indomitable Lions and fires in a cross-shot that flies well wide. It's all very open at the moment and Jacob Mulenga wins a corner at the other end as he shoots from distance.

1707: Joseph Desire Job beats the on-rushing Kennedy Mweene to the ball, but he couldn't quite hook the ball back. Zambia are at sixes and sevens at the back from the resulting corner but it's to end to end stuff at the moment.

1705: It's all Cameroon at the moment and they look like they mean business. However, James Chamanga tests Carlos Kameni at the other end.

1703: Eto'o threatens for the first time for Cameroon but nobody in a Green shirt is there to meet his cutback.

1700: We're under way in Tamale.

1658: We're only a few moments away from kick-off now can the Chipolopolo shoot down the Indomitable Lions and knock them out of the competition? We'll find in about 90 minutes time.

1649: "One has to think, any team that can beat Cameroon 4-2 in the opening game like Egypt did is definitely a contender."
The Original Six (Oh-Sixer) on 606
Join the debate on 606

1645: After scoring two goals in the first game, Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o is one goal away from history today. If he scores, the Barcelona hit-man will equal the Africa Cup of Nations' all-time scoring record, currently held by Laurent Pokou.
Eto'o poised for scoring record

1639: A few technical issues mean we're having trouble with the text platform at the moment, but if you want to have your say then you can still use our 606 forum.
Join the debate on 606

1634: TEAM NEWS: Cameroon make five changes from the team that lost to Egypt with Gilles Binya, Alexandre Song, Achille Emana, Modeste Mbami, Joseph Desire Job all coming into the starting line-up.

Chansa and Katongo return from suspension for Zambia so Dube Phiri and Rainford Kalaba make way.

Cameroon: Kameni, Atouba, Geremi, Rigobert Song, Bikey, Binya, Alexandre Song, Emana, Mbami, Job, Eto'o.

Zambia: Mweene, Hachilensa, Nketani, Musonda, Mwanza, Katongo, Chansa. Bakala, Mulenga, Katongo, Chamanga.

1630 GMT: Forget the FA Cup and the Premier League in England, Africa is the place to be at the moment.

It is Group C's turn to step back up to the plate as Cameroon take on Zambia, needing to win to stay in the tournament, and neighbours Egypt and Sudan battle it in today's later kick-off.

The Indomitable Lions lost their opening game 4-2 against the holders Egypt, while Zambia were confident 3-0 winners over the 1970 winners Sudan.

The Pharaohs can potentially book their place in the quarter-finals with victory over the Sudanese, whose players have been involved in a fracas with the Egyptian media in the build-up to this match.

Whatever happens it's sure to be an interesting afternoon, so get involved and have your say on the action via the text and on our 606 forum.
Join the debate on 606