Former Indomitable Lions striker Patrick Mboma has defended Coach Otto Pfister's decision to leave Samuel Eto'o as the lone striker in Sunday’s Nations Cup final, insisting that it should not be blamed for the 1-0 loss to the Pharaohs.
Speaking before the team's departure from the Ohene Djan
Stadium Sunday night, Mboma said Cameroon lost the game because begging chances were not converted.
"We lost today because we could not score some of the chances we created in the second half. The first half was a bit difficult but we took the game to them in the second half but chances were missed. Eto'o played as a lone striker but that was what the coach felt would win the game for us. He probably wanted to load the midfield and stop the Egyptians from gaining the upper hand. You know he played his first game against them in the group stage and would have studied them well.
"If we had won the game, I’m sure nobody would ask about Eto'o lone role. But we lost and questions are bound to be asked."
Mboma also praised the Egyptians for defending their Nations Cup title.
"It is not easy to defend a title. They came here and like two years ago, they are now champions. They played well. The players know what to do with the ball all the time. I think they deserve the cup," said the man who scored the second goal against the Super Eagles in helping Cameroon to a third title in 2000.
Although the co-hosts were to fight back to level the scores 2-2 the Lions went on to triumph via penalties at the National Stadium, Lagos.
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