AFCON: the story of the dramatic 2000 final in Nigeria!

More than two decades after Nigeria's heartbreaking defeat to Cameroon in the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations final, memories of the night remain vivid. While the match is remembered for Nigeria's remarkable comeback and a controversial penalty decision, accounts from two members of the Super Eagles squad provide a closer look at what happened before and during the decisive shootout.

Eto'o and Mboma give Cameroon an early advantage before Nigeria fight back

Nigeria hosted the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Ghana, with the final against Cameroon taking place at the National Stadium in Lagos on February 13, 2000.

The Super Eagles had strong home support and the opportunity to win their third continental title. However, they faced a Cameroon side determined to defend its crown and extend its dominance over Nigeria in major finals.

Samuel Eto'o put Cameroon ahead in the 27th minute before Patrick Mboma doubled the lead five minutes later. Nigeria responded through Chukwu Ndukwe shortly before half-time, keeping the hosts in contention.

Jay-Jay Okocha then brought Nigeria level with a spectacular long-range effort shortly after the restart. Neither side could find another goal during regulation time, and the contest went into extra time.

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In his contemporary report for The Guardian, Andreas Evagora described Nigeria's strong response after the break and their pressure during extra time. The Super Eagles came close to finding a winner, with Tijani Babangida and Victor Ikpeba among those who threatened Cameroon's goal.

Cameroon coach Pierre Lechantre praised his players' resilience after the match.

"All credit to the players because they could have easily lost faith after Nigeria made it 2-2. But they came out fighting and showed how determined they were to win this cup," he told The Guardian.

Benedict Akwuegbu, who was part of Nigeria's squad, later recalled the pressure inside the camp before the final in an interview with BBC Sport Africa.

"There was lot of anxiety in the camp before the final, because we knew Cameroon had many good players and history was on their side," Akwuegbu said.

"They had players like Patrick Mboma, Samuel Eto'o and Rigobert Song, but sadly for us, it went into penalties and we lost again."

Egbo reveals Kanu's penalty concerns as Ikpeba decision sparks controversy

The final was decided by a penalty shootout, with Cameroon eventually winning 4-3. Nigeria converted through Okocha, Godwin Okpara and Sunday Oliseh, but Nwankwo Kanu's effort was saved by goalkeeper Boukar Alioum.

Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Ndubuisi Egbo later revealed in an interview on PUNCH Online TV's Kick and Follow that Kanu had initially been reluctant to take a penalty.

According to Egbo, the former Arsenal forward was concerned because the goalkeeper regularly saved his spot-kicks during training sessions.

"But before then, when we were in the camp during training sessions, I always saved Kanu’s penalties and when it was time to play penalties and (coach) Jo Bonefere was writing the names of penalty takers, Kanu said he was not going to play, but the coach said he was one of the best and he had to play.

“He (Kanu) came to me and said I know that I always saved his penalties. I tried to motivate him and told him to try and kick the ball very hard to the side. ‘Just remove the thought that you lose penalties during training sessions.’ This is because it may affect his psychology and that he may lose.”

Kanu's miss was followed by another defining moment in the shootout. Victor Ikpeba struck Nigeria's fourth penalty against the underside of the crossbar. Although the ball appeared to cross the goal line, Tunisian referee Mourad Daami did not award the goal.

Egbo, who was also part of the penalty shootout, gave his recollection of the incident to PUNCH.

“I have the memory of what happened in the final against Cameroon like a video in my head. I remember Victor Ikpeba scored the penalty but put his hands on his head and the referee (Mourad Daami) counted it that it was a lost goal,” Egbo said.

The goalkeeper also believed Nigeria's comeback had taken too much out of the team before the shootout.

“Also we were not prepared for a penalty shootout because we came from a two-goal down to play 2-2 and we had exhausted a lot of energy and strength, and the psychology was not well balanced for a penalty shootout; and in the end we lost.”

Cameroon converted four of their attempts through Patrick Mboma, Pierre Wome, Geremi Njitap and Rigobert Song, who scored the decisive kick to secure a 4-3 victory.

The result gave Cameroon their third AFCON title and a third final victory over Nigeria, following their previous successes in 1984 and 1988.

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Mmenyeneabasi Akpan |

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