TheCable

The final of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is undeniably a tough one for football experts and bookmakers to call.

Taking place on Sunday at the stade de l’Amitié, Libreville, Gabon, the clash is between two of the strongest teams in Africa.

After their performance in the group stage, Cameroon was not expected to go far in the tournament, but their display of late is all Egypt will need to remember.

To get to this stage, Cameroon got the better of Ghana while Egypt had to endure a tough game against an inspired Burkina Faso before winning the tie through a penalty shoot-out.

Both African giants have twice met in the final of the Nations Cup: in 1986 and 2008. Cameroon lost on both occasions.

Egypt has so far in the tournament conceded only one goal while Cameroon has conceded just two.

The athleticism of 44 year-old Essam El-Hadary, Egyptian goalkeeper, in the semi-finals when he saved two penalty kicks for his side, and a tight defence have kept strikers at bay.

While both teams will be looking at tightening their defence, fans around the world will be hoping for goals.

But the big question: Can Egypt win their eighth African championship final?

It is instructive to recall that Egypt, as dominant as they have been in this AFCON, have had challenging times of recent, missing the last three championships, a memory they’d want to erase with a victory. Egypt will also be hoping to extend their amazing unbeaten run at the Nations Cup from 24 to 25 games.

Although they are a solid team, they’ve been stronger in defending but haven’t scored many goals in the tournament.

If there is a team that can match the tactical strength of the north Africans, it is the strong, tactically aware Cameroon team that defied all logic to get to this stage after star players refused to be part of the championship.

Coached by Hugo Broos, Cameroon is strong at the back and got better by each game with swift counter attacks like the one which annihilated the Black Stars of Ghana in the semi-final.

“Both teams are similar in style, conservative rather than pragmatic and the team that is most adventurous while still able to secure its defence might excel,” Egypt coach, Héctor Cuper had said, after the famous win against Ghana.

Like Egypt, Cameroon can rely on the impressive young goalie Fabrice Ondoa who has shone as bright as the semi-final hero, team captain, Benjamin Moukandjo.

Ahead of the tie, pundits are predicting an overly tactical and pedestrian game where the most physically fit team, which takes its chances, will carry the day.

The two most popular predictions are a penalty shootout and a slim victory by a solitary goal.

Egypt goes into the march hoping to get the elusive eight record title while Cameroon yearns to increase its haul of five titles.