Cousin hands Gabon shock win over Cameroon

Published on Wednesday 13 January 2010 22:11

THE African Nations Cup threw up another upset yesterday as Gabon took down one of the tournament favourites, Cameroon, beating Paul Le Guen's side 1-0 in the first Group D game.

Former Rangers striker Daniel Cousin took advantage of a defensive mix-up to grab the only goal after 17 minutes, and no amount of Cameroon pressure thereafter could produce an equaliser. The win was only Gabon's second ever in an African Nations Cup match.

Cameroon did all the early pressing with Celtic midfielder Landry N'Guemo, who was substituted at half-time, going close from a tight angle before Didier Ovono had to turn Achille Emana's snap shot on to the post and out for a corner. It was against the run of play when Gabon snatched the lead with less than 20 minutes gone. Cameroon's defence allowed a mis-kicked pass from Cedric Moubamba to find its way into the path of Hull City striker Cousin, who shot low past Carlos Kameni.

Zambia and Tunisia then failed to take advantage as the two nations had to settle for a 1-1 draw in Lubango.

The Zambians will be most disappointed not to have got off to a winning start after largely dominating the game and seeing a late header from substitute Emmanuel Mayuka ruled out for offside. The underdogs made a fine start with the dangerous Rainford Kalaba striking the side-netting, while Tunisia looked a shadow of the side who had for a long time been one of the continent's dominant forces.

Zambia took the lead in the 19th minute when Jacob Mulenga unselfishly played the ball back to James Chamanga in the box and his weak shot dribbled under Aymen Mathlouthi and into the net.

Kalaba had a shot blocked just past the half-hour and Zambia looked likely to add to their tally until Tunisia equalised out of nowhere in the 39th minute, Souheil Dhaoudadi slamming a cross by Youssef Msakni into the roof of the net.

Zambia pushed in the last ten minutes with Mulenga driving a decent shot into the side-netting before Mayuka thought he had won the match with his first touch only for the referee to deem otherwise.