CAN 2024: look back at the four Senegal-Cameroon in the African Cup of Nations
If their first duel took place three years after their independence, in 1963, Senegal and Cameroon waited until 1990 to meet in a CAN.
If the Lions of Teranga dominated this first, it is the Indomitables who will emerge victorious from the next three face-to-face, each time leaving their opponents with a very bitter taste.
Before the face-to-face in Yamoussoukro, Friday January 19, a look back at the four epic duels between Lions.
Duel between Senegalese defender Lamine Gassama (white jersey) and Cameroonian striker Karl Toko-Ekambi during the quarter-final won by Cameroon in Franceville, during the CAN 2017 in Gabon.
Corbis via Getty Images - Visionhaus
By: Ndiasse Sambe Follow
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1990: Thanks to the “White Wizard”
When they met for the first time at
the CAN
, during the edition organized by Algeria, Senegal did not weigh heavily on the African continent.
It is only his fourth participation while Cameroon has already won two African Cups, and advances as reigning champion in this meeting.
But the Lions of Teranga have a major asset: the “White Wizard”, Claude Le Roy.
Victorious in 1988, with Cameroon, of the CAN organized in Morocco, the French coach was chosen by the Senegalese authorities to take control of the selection and prepare for the 1992 CAN which Dakar would host.
During the second day of CAN 1990, Cameroon lost its first match (0-1) while Senegal drew against Kenya (0-0).
The Lions won the duel (2-0) thanks to goals from Mamadou Diallo and Moussa Ndao and eliminated Cameroon, defending champion and qualified for the 1990 World Cup in Italy.
An elimination that looked like a humiliation for the Indomitables, forced to bring Roger Milla out of retirement to accompany them to the World Cup.
The rest, we know it.
1992: This devil from Ébongué
Cameroon will take its revenge (1-0) on Senegal and its former coach Claude Le Roy two years later in Dakar.
A match synonymous with trauma for Lions supporters, some of whom will forever remember the name of the Cameroonian scorer Ébongué, Ernest by his first name.
The context ?
Senegal is hosting the CAN on its soil for the first time.
The objective is nothing other than to win the trophy at the twilight of the career of their star and idol Jules-François Bocandé.
The two teams meet in the quarter-finals.
Cameroon, dominated, achieved the perfect shot thanks to Ébongué who crucified the Lions 10 minutes from the end of regulation time.
“
It’s unfair, because we never deserve to be beaten
,” said Claude Le Roy.
We play well, but we don't score, and they, on almost their only opportunity, they score.
I think we should have been African champions.
It's a great sadness.
» Thirty years later, Senegal will experience a little revenge by proxy by being crowned for the first time on Cameroonian lands.
In the meantime, Ébongué had become a brand of appetite suppressant biscuits in Senegal…
2002: Aliou Cissé offers the title… in Cameroon
Rigorbert Song and Aliou Cissé will face each other this Friday, January 19, as coaches of Cameroon and Senegal.
22 years ago, they already led their selection as captain to the 2002 CAN final in Mali.
A royal clash between Cameroon, three times African champions, defending champion and already a giant in Africa, and Senegal, a rising force, qualified for the World Cup for the first time and future defeat of reigning world champion France.
Both teams have had a flawless run to reach the final.
Cameroon conceded no goals, and Senegal only one.
There will be no goals in this match.
Extra time, then penalties.
Rigobert Song and Aliou Cisé are the fifth shooters on their team.
When the Cameroonian captain steps forward, he has the title at his fingertips after the failures of the Senegalese Amdy Faye and El-Hadji Diouf, against that of the Cameroonian Pierre Womé.
But Song fails in front of Tony Silva.
Aliou Cissé can tie the two teams.
He places the ball, steps back and attempts a strong shot that Alioum Boucar takes out.
Cameroon validates its fourth crown, Senegal is on the ground, victim of another blow from the Indomitables.
2017: Mané's tears
The last confrontation between the Lions and the Indomitables at the CAN left a new scar on the skin of the Senegalese.
Several actors present that evening on the pitch of the Franceville stadium in Gabon, and today in Ivory Coast, can still testify to this.
Aliou Cissé was already the coach of Senegal, Sadio Mané, the star and technical leader, Ismaïla Sarr, a twirling hope, Gana Gueye and Cheikhou Kouyaté, midfield goalkeepers.
Opposite, Toko-Ekambi, Vincent Aboubakar, Clinton Njie and Fabrice Ondoa were the executioners.
The last, started on January 15 in goal for the first match of the Indomitables in this Ivorian CAN, was the nightmare for the Senegalese and Sadio Mané.
After 120 minutes of scoreless play, it's time for penalties.
The number 10 of the Lions of Teranga is the last striker on the Senegalese side, the first four all scored their penalty.
The four Cameroonians too.
Mané sees his shot saved by Ondoa.
All that remains for Aboubakar is to score to offer qualification to Cameroon... and
the CAN
a few days later by scoring the decisive goal against Egypt in the final.
The regrets will be eternal for Senegal.
Aliou Cissé will confess two months later
“
not having watched the final…
”.
Read alsoCAN 2024: The calendar and all the results
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