Cameroon head into semifinals

In extra time M’Bia’s sweet strike won the match in the 92nd when he converted a cross from substitute Joel Epalle.

“It was a tough match,” Cameroon captain Rigobert Song said.

“We scored two goals and then we brought them into the game but this team has strong mentality.”

Ben Saada almost scored in the 42nd but goalkeeper Carlos Kameni denied him with a fine save after Francileudo Santos’ shot rebounded off the crossbar.

Cameroon fans will have at least one more match to dress up for [AFP]

Cameroon plays Ghana in Accra on Thursday.

Both teams’ defences appeared uncertain early, and Cameroon midfielder Jean II Makoun wasted an opportunity in the fifth minute when he headed Geremi’s cross wide.

Minutes later, Yasin Chikhaoui stole the ball from Geremi and burst into the area, but his shot just missed the top corner.

Achille Emana tried to capitalize on a defensive error by Wissem El Bekri in the 14th, forcing Mehdi Nafti to cover and earning the Tunisia midfielder a yellow card when he tripped Emana.

Tunisia coach Roger Lemerre was pressed into early changes when defender Karim Haggui limped off clutching his hip in the 39th, necessitating the insertion of Sabeur Frej.

Chikhaoui found space down the right again in the 51st but failed to shoot, preferring instead to tumble and appeal for a penalty, which was not given.

Cameroon coach Otto Pfister made two defensive substitutions midway through the second half, apparently attempting to protect his lead but significiantly reducing the service to Eto’o.

Lemerre replaced Nafti with striker Issam Jomaa in the 70th to give Tunisia more strength in attack, and Tunisia equalized when Frej beat the tiring Timothee Atouba down the left and found Chikhaoui.