World Cup finalists Togo have been knocked out of the African Cup of Nations after they lost 2-0 to Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions of Teranga in their Group B encounter in Cairo.

Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o gave Cameroon the lead in the 68th minute with a spectacular 20-yard shot that flew into the corner, leaving the Togo keeper helpless.

Samuel Eto'o then turned provider 17 minutes later, playing in a lovely ball to Albert Meyong Ze, who with his back to goal flicked the ball into the back of the net with a delicious back-heel to score Cameroon’s second, and winning goal, and in doing so, sending Togo’s ‘Eperviers’ crashing out of the African Cup of Nations.

Cameroon, who commanded the match throughout, also hit the woodwork twice, and have now qualified for the quarter-finals of the African showpiece tournament.

Stephen Keshi’s Togo will have to pick up the pieces before the World Cup Finals, who, prior to this defeat, had seen the African Cup of Nations as the perfect place to build up some team experience, and bonding after their recent turbulent in-house bickerings over player’s bonus fees.

Togo will now be left with their few international friendly matches before the World Cup kicks off in June to find the form that was so evident in their qualifying campaign.

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