KUMASI: Mohamed Zidan scored two spectacular goals in the first half Tuesday to lead defending champion Egypt to a 4-2 win over shaky Cameroon in the African Cup of Nations.
Hosni Abd Rabou also scored twice for five-time champion Egypt.
“We are giving everything for our fans and country, Zidan said. “We are giving everything to win the [African] Cup for a second time in a row.
Samuel Eto’o’s two second-half goals failed to rescue the Indomitable Lions, who managed only a few shots on goal and looked like an aging team when they failed to close down Zidan and Rabou.
Rabou put Egypt ahead from the penalty spot in the 16th minute, and two minutes later Zidan tore through Cameroon’s midfield and finished clinically. The Hamburg forward scored his second goal in the 45th with a drive into the top corner.
“I am really happy to score the goals but it s a great victory for the team, Zidan said. “We won because we went out there with a positive attitude.
The Pharaohs went ahead when Reading defender Andre Bikey handled a cross from the left and Rabou converted a twice-taken penalty attempt.
Rabou scored the fourth goal with a fierce drive past goalkeeper Carlos Kameni in the 83rd.
Eto o timed his jump to get between two defenders and head in Geremi s cross from the right to make it 3-1 in the 50th, and the FC Barcelona striker added a penalty in injury time.
In Tuesday s other game, Sudan beat Zambia 3-0. Zambia scored at the start of each half against the overmatched Desert Hawks.
James Chamanga scored in the second minute for Zambia after swapping passes with Jacob Mulenga. Five minutes after the break, Mulenga headed powerfully home at the back post, although he appeared to impede a Sudan defender.
Felix Katongo added a third goal in the 59th with a low finish down the middle after goalkeeper Elmuiz Abdalla had parried a shot back to him.
Egypt and Zambia both have three points, but the Bullets led Group C on goal difference.
Cameroon takes on two-time African Cup runner-up Zambia on Saturday, with Egypt facing Sudan the same day in Kumasi.
On Wednesday, 2004 champion Tunisia opens its campaign against Senegal, and 1996 winner South Africa takes on Angola, which has never progressed beyond the first round. Both games are being held in Tamale
