Salomon Olembe was Cameroon's hero on Thursday as his two goals helped the defending champions reach the African Nations Cup final with a comfortable 3-0 win over hosts Mali.

The left wing struck twice inside five minutes at the end of the first half to ensure a return to the final for the Indomitable Lions, who will play Senegal in Bamako on Sunday to decide the continental title.

While Olembe provided the finishing touches to the first two goals, it was replacement striker Pius Ndiefi who set the holders on their way to victory.

The French-based forward, making a rare start in place of the injured Patrick Mboma, created both opening goals with his place and deft passing.

He gave an early indication of his ability with a speedy burst down the right wing, but shot straight into the side netting after 15 minutes.

On 40 minutes, however, he created the same confusion in the Mali defence, breezing past the high-rated Boubacar Diarra before laying the ball back perfectly for Olembe to apply the finishing touch.

When Ndiefi was taken off towards the end of the game, Cameroon coach Winfried Schafer doffed an imaginary cap at the Sedan striker and applauded him all the way to the bench.

Cameroon twice hit the crossbar in the last 20 minutes before Foe scored the third goal as if to emphasise his team's complete dominance.

First Samuel Eto'o hit the underside of the crossbar after connecting with a cross from Real Madrid fullback Geremi Fotso Njitap. Then, with eight minutes left, Lauren Etame Mayer's shot hit the upright and bounced back into play as Cameroon again caught the home defence napping.

A long ball upfield from substitute Partick Suffo set up Foe, whose strength took him past Mali goalkeeper Mahamadou Sidibe before tapping the ball into an empty net.

The hosts, playing under a burden of heavy expectation, seemed overawed by the occasion. Veteran midfielder Bassala Toure twice came close to scoring midway through the first half but Mali had just one shot on target - from Djibril Sidibe - after the interval.

BIZARRE INCIDENTS
Cameroon had earlier threatened not to play the game after a series of bizarre incidents involving members of their squad and the local police.

Goalkeeping coach Thomas Nkono was handcuffed after a fight with at least 10 policemen on the pitch ahead of the match.

Cameroon players also clashed with police some 90 minutes before the kickoff as they attempted to get on to the pitch for a walkabout ahead of the match in the March 26 stadium.

Nkono, who played in goal for Cameroon at two World Cup finals, was accused by the police of dropping 'magic' on to the pitch, officials said.

He had been standing on the side of the pitch talking to other squad members watching the stadium's big screen, which was showing pictures from Thursday's earlier semifinal between Nigeria and Senegal.

Nkono was suddenly set upon by police and, after a brief argument, a punch-up ensued during which Nkono was thrown to the ground and handcuffed in full view of the spectators.

He was carried off the pitch by a group of policemen before walking over to the media area furiously displaying his handcuffs to the international press.

Nkono was later released and returning sobbing to the team's dressing-room, where Schafer initially refused to play the match.

There was also an earlier punch-up outside the press centre between Cameroonian officials and the police when a policeman tried to grab a bag belonging to the visiting team's doctor.