Accra (Greater Accra) 22 Feb. ?99
Indomitable Lionceaux, the national under-20 soccer team of Cameroon, made an impressive start in the African Under-20 soccer championship with a 1-0 win over their Angolan counterparts in the second group A match played at the Accra Sports Stadium in Accra today. By their victory, Cameroon join Ghana at the top of group A table with three points apiece. Ghana had earlier beaten Mali by the same margin in the group's opening match at the same venue.
Both teams attacked from the blast of the whistle but it was left winger Mamoun Blaise of Cameroon, who had his name on the scoreboard as he netted the lone goal in the 39th minute. Angolan goalkeeper Mamona Joao Luis failed to make a first-time save of striker Kioto Adissa Francis's shot and Blaise, who was lurking around the goal area, shot into the net for the only goal of the match.
The Cameroonian became complacent after the goal and nearly paid dearly for it but for the many brilliant saves made by goalkeeper Kameni Adris Carlos. In the 70th minute, goalkeeper Luis pulled off a great save from a 35- metre shot from midfielder Pereira Da Silva Antonio Jose.
The Lionceaux bounced back into action as striker Ngom Kome Daniel gave the Angolan defence a lot to worry about. No wonder he was adjudged the best player of the match and was presented with a ghetto blaster donated by LG Electronics. Defender Moussonguide Benoit Fils of Cameroon became the first player in the tournament to receive the red card as he was shown the exit by Libyan referee Al Shalmani Abdelhakim in the 80th minute for a second bookable offence.
Cameroon play Mali in their second group A match on Wednesday, February 24, at the Accra Sports Stadium while Ghana clash with Angola in the next encounter at the same venue. The tournament continues tomorrow with the opening Group B matches in Kumasi. Zambia meet Malawi in the first match and Nigeria play Guinea in the second encounter, both at the Kumasi Sports Stadium.
