Cameroon 0 - 1 Egypt

Egypt bid to outwit Cameroon in ANC final

Updated: February 9, 2008, 7:47 AM ET

Cameroon coach Otto Pfister is confident his side can claim a fifth continental crown when they meet defending champions Egypt in the final of the African Nations Cup on Sunday.

The 26th edition of the competition reaches its climax in Accra this weekend after three weeks of pulsating and unpredictable action.

Cameroon ousted hosts Ghana in the final four courtesy of Alain Nkong's 71st-minute strike, marking a turnaround in fortunes for Pfister's troops, who began the tournament with a 4-2 loss to the Egyptians.

The 70-year-old coach insists that defeat will not weigh on the minds of his players at Ohene Djan Stadium this weekend, claiming that the mindset of the squad is much altered from the start of the tournament.

Pfister said: "It (the opening match) was our first official game. I hardly had any time to work with the team before then.

"The preparation was very different. Everyone said we should go to Spain to prepare, but I took a decision to go to Ouagadougou (in Burkina Faso).

"We only had 10 days in the same (West African) weather and we worked very, very hard and I think that has now paid off.''

Pfister, who also guided Ghana to the African Nations Cup final in 1992, added that the depth of his squad could be the key to success this weekend.

"We are mentally very strong and I think Cameroon has the best bench in the competition,'' he said.

"I can bring anyone on and there will be no difference with the play, perhaps only tactical. We have progressed match by match.

"Now we are in the final in this very important tournament. It's not for me, but for the president of the Republic of Cameroon and for the poor boy in the streets of Yaounde and Douala and all the people of the country.''

Pfister, however, has a problem in defence ahead of the match, with Andre Bikey ruled out after his needless red card in the semi-final against Ghana.

Midfielder Alexandre Song faces a late fitness test.

Egypt, meanwhile, are full of confidence after despatching tournament favourites Ivory Coast in the semi-finals thanks to a thumping 4-1 win.

Hassan Shehata's troops come into the game gunning for a record sixth continental title, but goalkeeper Essam Al Hadari is urging caution from his team-mates despite their convincing win against the Indomitable Lions in the group stage.

"That match doesn't count anymore,'' said Al Hadari.

"We go into the match as the African champions and we will definitely take care that we are well prepared.

"We have a lot of respect for Cameroon, like we always respect our opponent.''

Assistant coach Shawki Gharib added: "We are delighted with the performance and the result (against Ivory Coast), but now there is still one match to go before the job is completed.''

The Egyptians have a fully fit squad to choose from this weekend after Mohamed Shawky was passed fit after sitting out the semi-final through injury.