AT no doubt, the semi-final between Cameroon and Egypt of this CAN 2022 promises sparks. The explanation: it opposes the two most successful countries in the history of the competition. Essential point which adds to the intensity and the suspense: these two teams arrive in the last four with their share of uncertainties and decisive adjustments to be made. After the 2008 and 2017 finals, here is a new clash that should go down in the annals of African football.
Cameroon finally relaunches its best formula
While the offensive potential of the Indomitable Lions was expressed from the start of the competition, the uncertain balance and the content of the matches did not reassure the most informed observers. The illustration was given by their first half against Ethiopia, the match against Cape Verde and the match against Comoros, a team without an available goalkeeper and at 10 against 11 for more than 80 minutes. Facing a more than surprising Gambia team, Cameroon seemed to have found better stability in a 4-3-3 around a midfield with Oum Gouet-Martin Hongla-Zambo Anguissa. With this trio, Cameroon won 4-0 in Malawi, 1-0 on the lawn of the Nigerian team in June, and above all, recently against Côte d’Ivoire in a cleaver match for qualification for the play-offs. of the World Cup.
Oum Gouet, KV Mechelen player, current 7and of the Belgian championship, and Martin Hongla, currently at Hellas Verona after passing through the FC Barcelona training center in particular, have distinguished themselves by their ability to regulate the game, to bring the ball out cleanly and to direct it, allowing the former Marseillais Zambo Anguissa, today at Napoli, to evolve in a freer register that suits his qualities. With this trio, Cameroon finally seems to be playing with good potential.
Although the Gambian Scorpions could not count on their playmaker Ablie Jallow, currently at RFC Seraing in Belgium, that coach Tom Saintfiet tried a losing bet by starting the slender Mohamed Badamosi (KV Kortrijk, Belgium), the choice of the Indomitable Lions coach to return to this trio has paid off. The Indomitable Lions were able to combine power, percussion, technical quality and defensive cover to asphyxiate the Gambian team who came to hold the score as long as possible at 0-0 and hope to go to penalties.
Egypt like diesel
Opposite, the Pharaohs have once again demonstrated the progress made, confirming an upturn that was expected. With regular tweaks since the loss to Nigeria, Carlos Queiroz has been able to find new pieces that seem to have established themselves in Egypt’s 11. At left-back, Ahmed Fattoh (23, Zamalek), although at fault on the penalty conceded against Morocco and with only 45 minutes of playing time against Nigeria, before returning against Côte d’Ivoire , delivered a very good match. International since 2019, he has really established himself in this team since the arrival of Queiroz and took advantage of the Arab Cup to establish himself as a starter. In central defense, the young Mohamed Abdel Monem, whose performance in this CAN prompted Al Ahly to put an end to his loan from Future FC to bring him back to his training club, is gaining momentum and asserting himself as the future boss of the Egypt team as central defender.
Need we remind you, the strong point of this team is its ability to finish the match stronger than it started. With impact players off the bench like Trezeguet, whose daring entry in place of the injured Mohamed Hegazy changed the course of the match against the Atlas Lions. Ahmed Sayed Zizo, Zamalek winger, brings invaluable energy to each of his entries and is comfortable in his role as a super-sub. The proof: taken by the throat from the start of the second half, the Atlas Lions were unable to rebalance the balance of power in the second half. As such, the exit of Sofiane Bouffal (SCO Angers) on the hour mark questions and illustrates that Morocco was struck by the return of Egypt.
The Pharaohs can be satisfied with the exemplary leadership of Mohamed Salah who pulls his team up and makes himself available to his teammates alongside Mohamed Elneny, excellent in the last two games, Mohamed Hegazy, from Trezeguet (Aston Villa) back to a good level, or the very experienced goalkeepers Mohamed El Shenawy, from Al Ahly, and his replacement Mohamed Abou Gabal dit Gabaski, from Zamalek, both long in the shadow of the legendary Essam El Hadary, goalkeeper of the big team from 1996 to 2018. Although the CAN has not yet been won, positive lessons are being learned from Carlos Queiroz’s team. A good omen for the future.
A history to the advantage of the Pharaohs
In 24 games, there have been 7 draws, 12 wins went to Egypt and 6 to Cameroon, including the last confrontation which is none other than the final of the 2017 edition of the CAN. The Indomitable Lions, although trailing, won in the very last moments on a goal from Vincent Aboubakar then used in a specific role as an impact player off the bench.
In front of its public, Cameroon obviously has an additional weight, this should allow it to make the difference. That said, the Indomitable Lions are warned about the potential of this Egypt team. With Mohamed Salah in its workforce, this Pharaohs team must be taken very seriously. No detail should be overlooked.
