The weekend went past, quicker than I expected from the footballing perspective. Arsenal disappointed as expected when they travelled to Chelsea and were well beaten 3-1 by Conte’s Blues. The pain of the defeat could not be felt because on that day I was engrossed in a magnificent wedding of another Gooner. Time to head in that direction.

The biggest footballing news of the weekend was not Arsenal’s loss to Chelsea or Hull City’s victory over Klopp’s Liverpool but the Roar in Gabon. Cameroon are African Champions – for the fifth title and first since 2002. Burkina Faso emerged third after a late win over the Black Stars of Ghana.

In a beautiful night in Gabon, Cameroon came from behind to defeat Egypt 2-1 in the Africa Cup of Nations Final. Arsenal midfielder, Mohammed Elneny scored the opener midway through the first half and Egypt looked set to win an unrivalled 8th AFCON crown. It was their first appearance at the tournament since 2010.

 

But Nicolas Nkoulou, who had come off the bench in the first half, headed in the equalizer just before the hour mark and fellow substitute Aboubakar slammed in the winner in the 88th minute.

The Tournament Awards

Total Man of the Competition: Christian BASSOGOG (Cameroon)

Total Man of the Final Match: Benjamin MOUKANDJO (Cameroon)

Fair Play prize: Egypt

Top Scorer: Junior KABANANGA (DR Congo) – 3 goals

CAF Team of the tournament

Goalkeeper: Fabrice ONDOA (Cameroon)

Defenders: Modou Kara MBODJI (Senegal), Ahmed HEGAZY (Egypt), Michael NGADEU (Cameroon)

Midfielders: Charles KABORE (Burkina Faso), Daniel AMARTEY (Ghana), Bertrand TRAORE (Burkina Faso), Christian ATSU (Ghana), Mohamed SALAH (Egypt)

Forwards: Christian BASSOGOG (Cameroon), Junior KABANANGA (DR Congo)

Away from Gabon, the NPFL continued in Nigeria. Plateau United continued their unbeaten run with a goalless draw against Nasarawa United in Lafia. Shooting Stars ended Rivers United’s unbeaten run with a 2-1 victory, Akwa United tasted their first victory of the season and Katsina United earned their first away point of the season.

The Oriental Derby in Nnewi was won by the hosts FC IfeanyiUbah no thanks to Prince Aggreh’s penalty in the second half. Nana Bonsu had saved Seka’s penalty in the first half but could not keep that of Aggreh. Enyimba could not hold El-Kanemi Warriors in Maiduguri as MFM FC recorded the only away win in the weekend with a 1-0 win over Sunshine Stars in Akure

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