2017 AFRICA CUP - SEMI-FINALS - DAY 16 - Cameroon VS Ghana 2:0
AFRICA CUP 2017
SEMI-FINALS
Day 16
30th match
Cameroon vs Ghana 2:0
Goal Cameroon
Ngadeu-Ngadjui (72’)
Bassogog (90'+3)
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Cameroon reach the final of the 2017 African Nations Cup.
Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui was on hand to give Cameroon the lead in the 72nd minute
Cameroon will face Egypt in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations final after two second-half strikes saw off Ghana.
Both sides had gone close to breaking the deadlock before Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui took advantage of atrocious defending from a free-kick to lash in the opener in the 72nd minute.
With seconds remaining Christian Bassogog sealed victory when he applied a deft finish to a counter-attack.
Ghana went close through Wakaso Mubarak and Christian Atsu.
Panathinaikos midfielder Wakaso tested keeper Fabrice Ondoa with a brilliant bending free-kick, and Newcastle's flying winger Atsu saw his angled strike drift past Cameroon's upright by inches.
Relive the action as it happened
Aside from those two chances, the Black Stars - who last won the competition in 1982 - underwhelmed against a side who were clear second favourites going into the match.
As for coach Hugo Broos' Indomitable Lions, they are into their first final since they lost to Egypt in 2008.
"It is a real dream for us to get to the final," said the Belgian coach.
"Ghana have more experience than us - look at what they have done in recent tournaments.
But since the start of this tournament we have shown we keep going right to the end in every game.
"I am very happy, especially for the team.
They are an exemplary group on and off the field and they deserve to be in the final."
Their build-up to the match was clouded by a dispute between the team and the national association over pay, but on Gabon's Franceville stadium pitch their focus rarely wavered from the task in hand.
Cameroon defended brilliantly, nullifying the threat of Andre Ayew and brother Jordan - and, later on, substitute Asamoah Gyan.
They also caused Ghana several problems at the other end.
Ngadeu-Ngadjui was both a rock in defence and a menace on set-pieces in attack, highlighted when he fired in from the angle to give his side the lead.
A free-kick was swung into the area and both Ghana defender John Boye and keeper Razah Brimah flapped at the delivery, allowing Ngadeu-Ngadjui to thrash home.
As Ghana, coached by former Chelsea boss Avram Grant, searched for the equaliser they left space at the back, which was exploited in the third minute of stoppage time when Aalborg forward Bassogog sprinted into the area and poked in past the reach of Razak.
"I am more than unhappy.
We wanted so much to be in the final," said Grant.
"We did everything to be there and in the second half we completely dominated.
Congratulations to Cameroon of course but we were the better side and we lost."
The Black Stars will meet Burkina Faso in Saturday's third place play-off in Port Gentil.
DID YOU KNOW?
Cameroon have won the competition on four previous occasions
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LINE-UPS
Cameroon
01. Ondoa
19. Fai
05. Ngadeu-Ngadjui
04. Teikeu
06. Oyongo Bitolo
15. Siani
17. Sutchuin-Djoum
Substituted for Mandjeck at 77'
13. Bassogog
09. Zoua Daogari
08. Moukandjo Booked at 81’
18. Tambe
Substituted for Aboubakar at 73'
Substitutes
02. Mabouka Maoussi
03. N’Koulou
07. N’Jie
10. Aboubakar
11. Salli
12. Boya
14. Mandjeck
16. Goda
20. Toko Ekambi
21. Djetei
22. Ngwen
23. Mbokwe
Ghana
01. Brimah
23. Afful
18. Amartey
21. Boye
22. Acheampong
06. Acquah
Substituted for Gyan at 75'
11. Wakaso
07. Atsu
05. Partey
Substituted for Badu at 86'
10. A. Ayew
09. J. Ayew
Substitutes
02. Yiadom
03. Gyan
04. Mensah
08. Badu
12. Ofori
13. Assifuah
14. Tekpetey
15. Ofori
16. Dauda
19. Gyimah
20. Tetteh
Referee:
Bakary Gassama
Cameroon
Ghana