Sports

Mali 2002 : Memorable Venture

Par Elizabeth MOSIMA
24 nov. 2021 10:36
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The Indomitable Lions won the trophy for the fourth time and two times in a row.

The 2002 African Cup of Nations was the 23rd edition of the competition. It took place in Mali and it was Cameroon’s 11th appearance in the prestigious football tournament. The Indomitable Lions played in group C with DR Congo, Togo and Côte d’Ivoire. On arrival in Mali, the Indomitable Lions were based in Sikasso for the group stage of the competition.
It was a memorable venture for the Indomitable Lions as they won the trophy for the fourth time and two times in a row. During their first outing, Cameroon beat DR Congo 1-0 at the Stade Babemba Traoré in Sikasso. The match was watched by 15,000 spectators. Patrick Mboma scored the lone goal in the match. Cameroon beat Côte d’Ivoire 1-0 in their second game. The goal was scored by Mboma. In their third match, Cameroon thrashed Togo 3-0. Mboma, Eto’o and Olembe scored one goal each. Cameroon beat Egypt in the quarterfinal 1-0. Mboma scored for Cameroon. The Lions beat host country Mali 3-0 in the semifinal. Salomon Olembe scored two goals and Foe one. Cameroonian players put up excellent performances during the 2002 AFCON tournament. Patrick Mboma and Salomon Olembe were on the list of the best scorers in the competition. Both of them scored three goals each. Rigobert Song emerged as the best player of the tournament.