Clarets International-Bikey Wont Be Back Just Yet!

Our only player to be affected by the African Nations Cup, Cameroon international, Andre Bikey was finally in action last night in the third of Cameroon's Group D games in Lubango,Angola.

In their previous two games Bikey was an unused substitute and before their third and final group game against Tunisia last night, the Indomitable Lions had surprisingly lost 1-0 in the opener to Gabon before beating Zambia 3-2.

Last night they drew 2-2 with Tunisia just qualifying for the quarter final stage by one goal! (see below)

Cameroon came from behind twice scoring both their goals in the second half thanks to Eto and Nguemo. They could not find the winner though despite Tunisia being reduced to ten men after Ammar Jemel was sent off for a second bookable offence. Andre Bikey finally got on the pitch in the 89th minute and played a midfield general role as five minutes of added time were played out.

The result means Cameroon finish second in the table despite three nations Gabon, Cameroon and Zambia all finishing on four points with the same goal difference. Tunisia finished bottom in fourth place one point behind the others having only managed three draws in their group games. In order to decide the first three placings, the matches featuring the three teams playing each other were analysed in terms of goals scored. Zambia came top with 4 goals, Cameroon second with 3 goals and unlucky Gabon failing to qualifying with 2 goals.

Cameroon will now play the winners of Group C, Egypt in Benguela on Monday 25th January.

Those Clarets fans secretly hoping for Cameroon to take an early exit from the African Nations Cup in Angola so they could see an early return for Andre Bikey will therefore have been disappointed and he certainly won't now be available for the Bolton clash next Tuesday night at the Reebok.

If Cameroon progress further the semi-final match will be played in Benguela on Thursday 28th January with the final on Sunday 31st January in Luanda. Their is also a third place play off on the 30th January.

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