KUMASI, Ghana, 27 January 2008 — Four-time African champions Cameroon here yesterday got their 2008 African Nations Cup campaign back on course after a comfortable 5-1 trouncing of Zambia in a Group C tie as their star striker Samuel Eto’o matched the tournament’s all-time record.

Cameroon slumped to a 4-2 at the hands of group rivals Egypt in their first match in this competition but they bounced back in style to stop the Chipolopolo from Zambia and throw wide open this first round group.

It was also another chapter of personal glory for three-time African Player of the Year Eto’o, who equaled the tournament’s all-time record of Ivorian Laurent Pokou of 14 goals when he scored from the penalty spot in the 65th minute. It was also his third goal of this competition.

The Indomitable Lions took the lead on 27 minutes courtesy of a well-struck free kick by Geremi Njitap before they increased the tally five minutes later when Desire Job stole through a hesitant Zambian defense to hit target.

Poor Zambian defending again allowed Toulose ace Achilles Emana to net his team’s third goal minutes to the interval. More catastrophic defending will see Cameroon score their fifth goal as Job walked in to slot home in the 81st minute for his second goal of the night. Christopher Katongo netted a consolation goal for Zambia in the 89th minute.

Cameroon took the kick-off and went straight for goal in a game they needed a result to stay alive in the tournament.

The stylish Isaac Chansa was dispossess of the ball by Eto’o in the third minute but the Barcelona star striker’s final cutback from the right was not met by a Cameroonian player. A row over match bonus days to this clash appeared not to have worked against Zambia as James Chamanga let fly a shot from outside the box after five minutes for Zambia’s first attack but it was cuddled by goalkeeper Idriss Kameni.

However, almost immediately Desire Job beat Mweene at the other end of the pitch to a long ball only for his final effort to be defended well by the Zambians.

The Indomitable Lions continued to pump the long ball behind the Zambian defense to the discomfort of their opponents while at the other end of the park, Jacob Mulenga’s pace was a source of bother for the Cameroon back four led by the durable Rigobert Song.

Job’s mazy dribble runs on the left wing equally troubled fullback Clive Hachilensa but the Zambian defense regrouped to ward off any danger from the left.

Cameroon midfielder Emana was fouled on the edge of the box and Geremi hit a beauty from the direct free kick, which beat Mweene for the opening goal in the 27th minute. Cameroon doubled their advantage five minutes when three Zambian defenders failed to clear a long ball and Job strolled in to slot past Mweene.

Eto’o would have compounded Zambian misery in the 40th minute but his header missed target only just before a slip by Chansa let in the hard working Emana, who coolly put the ball past a hapless Mweene for goal number three.

Ian Bakala came close to pulling a goal back for Zambia in first half stoppage time but his near post header was pushed away by Kameni.

Zambia fought back at the restart and on the hour Chansa would have reduced the tally but he failed to make contact with the ball when left unmarked inside the box.

Soon after Rigobert Song had to bring his wealth of experience to bear when he timed his tackle to perfection to stop the rampaging Christopher Katongo from scoring.

However, it was Cameroon that went further ahead in the 65th minute. Eto’o was fouled around the edge of the box. He picked himself up and took the free kick which was handled by a Zambian inside the area and from the resultant spot kick he equaled Pokou’s record of 14 goals.

Zambia battled on and skipper Katongo’s header skimmed off the crossbar after 73 minutes. Mulenga also came close as the Indomitable Lions appear to tire.

In the 79th minute Mulenga will again force a spectacular finger-tip save from Kameni. Job wrapped up this routing two minutes later before Zambia got some consolation through skipper Katongo in the final minutes.