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On Sunday, after the final - third - round matches of the Africa Cup of Nations B group, it was revealed that the Cameroonian footballers took the first place in the group, defeating the Democratic Republic of the Congo 2-0, who finished second in the group, surpassing Angola due to a better goal difference. Angola had great chances to advance, but they were defeated by Togo with a narrow 3-2 score and were eliminated from the tournament, despite winning.
Two quarterfinal pairs have also been revealed - the winners of Group A, the host Egypt footballers, will meet the Democratic Republic of the Congo, while the winners of Group B, Cameroon, will face Ivory Coast.
Cameroon 2 - 0 DR Congo 31` [1 - 0] Geremi Njitap 33` [2 - 0] Samuel Eto'o 71` Gladys Bokese (DR Congo) was sent off the field
The Cameroonian footballers scored both goals within the first two minutes of the first half. In the 31st minute, Geremi Njitap of London's Chelsea scored with a long-range shot, and two minutes later, the top scorer of the Spanish league, Barcelona star Samuel Eto'o, doubled the score with a bizarre goal - his shot deflected off the crossbar and hit the head of the DR Congo goalkeeper before entering the goal.
Although Gladys Bokese was sent off the field in the 71st minute for a foul against the Cameroonian Pierre Webo, the result did not change until the end of the match.
Angola 3 - 2 Togo 9` [1 - 0] Amado Flavio 24` [1 - 1] Kader Coubadja 39` [2 - 1] Amado Flavio 67` [2 - 2] Cherif Mamam Toure 86` [3 - 2] Maurito 30` Guyazou Kassim (Togo) was sent off the field
The Angolan footballers, who made it to the World Cup in Germany, were dramatically eliminated from the tournament after the first stage. Angola's footballers took the lead in the ninth minute through a goal by Flavio, but Togo equalized before halftime with a goal by Kader Coubadja. The Angolan footballers managed to regain the lead by the end of the first half thanks to Flavio's goal, but Togo equalized again in the second half with a goal by Cherif Mamam Toure. In the final stages of the match, Maurito, who came on as a substitute, scored an impressive goal, but the Angolan footballers failed to score more.
After these matches, there were eight minutes left in the other group match. If the Cameroonian footballers had scored a third goal against DR Congo, the Angolan footballers would have reached the quarterfinals.
Along with Angola, Togo, who will also compete in the World Cup this year, as well as the group A teams Morocco (who won silver in 2004) and Libya, have also withdrawn from further competition for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Final ranking of Group B Place/Team/Points/Goal difference 1. Cameroon 9 7-1 2. DR Congo 4 2-2 3. Angola 4 4-5 4. Togo 0 2-7
The quarterfinal pairs are now known: Egypt - DR Congo Ivory Coast - Cameroon
