Song soars despite Lions' fall

(From: William Ezah, GNA Special Correspondent in Cabinda, Angola, courtesy; Ministry of Youth and Sports)

Cabinda, Angola, Jan 14, GNA - Cameroonian youngster Alexander Song emerged as the Best Player of the match between the former African champions and Gabon in the Group D opener of the 27th Orange Africa Cup of Nations played on Wednesday in Lubango, Angola.

The tall lanky dreadlocked haired midfielder was the fulcrum of the Indomitable Lions even though his side lost by a shocking 1-0 to the Gabonese.

Despite his excellent performance and the award, the player cannot escape blame for the defeat as his lapse gave away the lone goal to Daniel Cousin that fetched the three points for Gabon.

Information gathered from the secretariat of the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) by the GNA Sports also named Rainford Kalaba of Zambia as the Best Player in the Zambia/Tunisia match with Malawi's Hellings Mwakasungula picking the top award in the Malawi-Algeria game.

Cote D' Ivoire Didier Zokora according to the information, was voted the Best Player in the game between the Ivorians and Burkina Faso with Angolan top marksman Flavio winning the prestigious award in the opening game of the tournament between the host and Mali.

In the Fair Play Award category, Zambian veteran Felix Katongo picked up the prize for the Zambia/Tunisia game with Bruno Ecuele Manga of Gabon taking home the prize in their game against Cameroon.

Mahamoudou Kere of Burkina Faso won the play award in the game against Cote d' Ivoire, with Peter Mponda going home with the award in the game between Malawi and Algeria, whilst Mabina emerged in the game between the Palancas Negras of Angola and Mali. 14 Jan. 2010