VINCENT ABOUBAKAR CAME off the bench to score a stunning winner with two minutes left as Cameroon fought back from behind to beat Egypt 2-1 in a thrilling Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday.
Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny had given Egypt the lead midway through the first half and Egypt looked to be on course to win an unrivalled eighth Cup of Nations crown in their first appearance at the tournament since 2010.
But Nicolas Nkoulou, who had come off the bench in the first half, headed in the equaliser just before the hour mark and fellow substitute Aboubakar slammed in the winner in the 88th minute.
That sparked bedlam in a near-capacity crowd of more than 38,000 in Gabon’s capital, made up in its majority by Cameroonian supporters.
It is a fifth Cup of Nations crown for the Indomitable Lions, a first since 2002, and the first time they have beaten Egypt in the final in three attempts.
Ulster have some amount of ballers in their backline stocks. Its crazy a fella as good as Addison is barely missed
Brilliant performance against a strong Cardiff selection. Hopefully the right time to come to the boil. We were trying to play like this at the start of the season and winning but looking sloppy. Then we took a few defeats. But now we are clicking and looking the real deal. Hopefully we’ll be full strength against Toulouse and play like tonight.
@Sustainable Hedgehog: to be fair I thought Cardiff were the better team in the first half but sloppy handling let them down. Ulster got 2 pretty lucky tries and one good one late in the half. Second half was a different story, Ulster looked very solid and controlled the pace.
@Michael Bryson: You have a pretty unique view of the first half. None of the Cardiff fans I know felt so. Ulster’s rush defence destroyed Cardiff’s attack, our forwards broke them down and took the game away from them. It’s a great result, a weaker Blues side beat Leinster.
@Sustainable Hedgehog: not really that unique, from my viewpoint in the stand the consensus was that Cardiff built pressure much better than us in the first half and went through the phases better than we did. Yes our defence was good but they lacked cutting edge which was fortunate and give better teams that much ball they will be out of sight by half time. Just watched the game back and stand by my 1st half assessment.
@Michael Bryson: To be clear I am not belittling the result, great result from a game where I was worried by Cardiffs team sheet before hand. Just a little worried about some of our side to side and kick away tactics in first half. Much better in second half though.
@Michael Bryson: Michael, Ulster play a brand of rugby that involves taking risks in defence and attack. Predictable, risk free rugby won’t cut it if we want to be winning trophies. Ulster put a good Cardiff side under immense pressure and beat them well. These are the nights we should enjoy.
@Sustainable Hedgehog: I never said I didn’t enjoy it and at no point do I say that I disagree with the way we are playing. I am just a little worried about the bigger picture against the bigger teams with regards to control of the game. However as someone who has been a season ticket holder for over 20 years I am just conditioned to be reluctant to get too excited with our chances…#toomayfalsedawns but the sun will rise eventually!
@Michael Bryson: I get what you are saying. But I didnt think Cardiff were the better team in the first half, but they were certainly in it, most stats would have been 50:50, except the scoreline. But it was a very strong Cardiff team, with 13 internationals, it was never going to be all one way or close to it, I still think Ulster were the better side in the first half, but Cardiff had their moments.
Our weakness at the start of the season was dominating games but not being able to turnbthat into points, we dominated Leinster but couldn’t build the scoreboard, and were a score away from defeat, against Ospreys we did lose, Clermont came close. Nearly every game up to Christmas we dominated territory and possession but couldn’t turn that into points, we also tired in the last 15mins, as such we were vulnerable to throwing a game we dominated away. Amost happened against Leinster and Clermot, it did happen against Ospreys. Since christmas I am glad to see we have been much more clinical, and can turn that pressure into points. Its shaping up to be a good season.
That was a very strong Cardiff side with 13 internationals and some very good players, yet Ulster made it look easy. The ones in Ireland camp really showed they should have had more Ireland caps by now, Balacoune, Hume, Timoney all had great games and on the scoresheet also Henderson was very good. Conway has been playing well and has a good all round skill set, but Balacoune has been in better and there isn’t a weakness in his game either, apart from experience, I’m not sure why Balacoune isnt in the right wing. Ulster normally weaken in the last 15, but with the bench last night actually finished stronger. Really dont think Leinster will be looking forward to next weekend, which will be strange for them.
At least get the score right, it was 48 – 12