Cameroon won the 2000 AFCON on penalties against Nigeria after a 2-2 draw in 120 minutes. They entered Mali in full confidence having qualified for Japan-South Korea 2002 FIFA World Cup and were ranked 17th by FIFA.
The Indomitable Lions were the bookie’s favourites as Samuel Eto’o had gained enough experience among the already-experienced Patrick Mboma, Jacques Songo’o, Mark Vivien Foe, Lauren, Pius Ndiefi, Jeremy Njitap, Bill Tchato and Raymond Kalla.
Under the tutelage of German tactician, Winfried Schafer, Cameroon was never going to disappoint as they were the most fearful side on the continent before the big Kick-off in Bamako, Mali.
Cameroon beat DR Congo via M’boma’s 40th-minute strike in their opening game in Group C.
In the second game of the group, The Indomitable Lions won 1-0 as Patrick M’boma again snatched the winner in the 85th minute against Ivory Coast.
A comfortable 3-0 win for Cameroon against Togo in Sikasso in the last group game through Mettomo, Eto’o and Olembe goals sent a warning to the potential winners of the tournament.
M’boma continued his wonderful form in the Quater final against Egypt as he scored the winner in a 1-0 win over the Pharaohs in the 62nd minute.
Cameroon met the host Mali, who had been impressive throughout the tournament and thrashed them 3-0 as Olembe scored a first-half brace and Vivien Foe rounded off a wonderful evening in Bamako for Cameroon.
Senegal who had quality under Bruno Metsu was playing probably the best football on the continent.
The Terranga Lions sailed through to the finals by beating Egypt, Zambia, DR Congo and Nigeria.
A crunch clash was set for the finals as the best teams clashed at the Stade du 26 Mars in Bamako in front of 50,000 spectators. After 120 minutes of intense action, no goal was scored as penalty kicks were required.
Coly and Ferdinand scored Senegal’s first two kicks but Faye, Diouf and Cisse all missed the next three.
Wome and Song missed for Cameroon as Suffo, Lauren and Geremi scored to lift the title for the Indomitable Lions.
No team dominated the Indomitable Lions as Alioum Boukar and the back 3 of Bil Tchato, Rigobert Song and Raymond Kalla were excellent. Wing backs of Geremi (right) and Pierre Wome (left) added solidity on the flanks and gave the centre backs immense cover.
Cameroon lifted their 4th AFCON title joining Ghana and Egypt without conceding a single goal in their famous FIFA sleeveless shirt that was launched in 2002 and made a series of headlines across the globe.
