Egypt Prevail In Dramatic Final
Cameroon 0 - 1 Egypt
Egypt deserved their win in Accra, but Cameroon - who had held out well for the most part - eventually only fell victim to a simply suicidal goal...
Egypt are the 2008 champions of Africa after defending their 2006 title and lifting the hallowed trophy for a record sixth time.
After over 75 goalless minutes, Egypt finally managed the strike that they deserved on the balance of play, but one that came in such strange circumstances.
It was dreadfully ironic - not least for Rigobert Song - that in a tournament so laden with brilliant strikes and wonder-goals, that the most decisive clash of all would be settled not by attacking genius, but by opportunism and an absolute howler from Cameroon stopper Song.
To start with, though, things were slightly more even.
Within two minutes, Cameroon had pressed forward twice, with Eto'o blasting a header over the bar from close range after Geremi's fine cross, with the referee seeing no deflection off an Egyptian defender.
Egypt tried to hit on the break soon afterwards, but all too often their first touch let them down in the final third.
Mbia conceded a free kick six minutes in after a foul on Abou Trika just outside the box, and it looked as if Espanyol 'keeper Carlos Kameni was about to face his first test. This he did, but the stopper held Hosny's effort well.
Kameni had to be on guard again to keep Moawad's admittedly weak effort out seconds later. and Abou Trika had another effort palmed wide 12 minutes in.
Alex Song had to limp off with an injury on the quarter-hour, with Binga coming on, necessitating a reshuffle in the midfield.
It was an afternoon of long-range efforts, with Geremi clipping a free-kick goalwards from 25 yards, only for El Hadary to save, albeit without confidence.
Then, on the break, poor defending and some fine teamwork saw Motab go one-on-one, only for Kameni to save. Abou Trika then inexplicably blasted the rebound over the bar.
Egypt's play had been nervy all over the pitch, but as the 20 minute mark came and went, they began to rediscover their structured approach to the game, and thus appeared more secure both with and without the ball. Chatto had to be at his best on more than one occasion to halt these attacks with a last-ditch challenge.
Cameroon, meanwhile, couldn't find the final ball, with Emana of particular culpability when he fluffed a great chance to play Eto'o through on goal on the break.
After a spell of midfield play, Eto'o eventually did receive a through ball, albeit one that he had to take around Shady Mohamed. From his acute angle out on the left, he could only drill a shot wide of the far post.
Then came the best chance of the game so far. A tremendous ball over the top found Motab one-on-one with Kameni, only for the forward to hit the ball straight at the 'keeper. The rebound came the striker's way, too, but a timely intervention saw the chance disappear.
As the half wore on, it became increasingly cagey, with Egypt's long-range efforts now either flying over the bar or straight into Kameni's hands. As such, it was no surprise when the half ended 0-0, with the most notable moments being injuries, necessitating plenty of stoppage time in the heat of the afternoon.
After the break, Amr Zaki came close down the left, only for his narrow-angled effort to be parried and then cleared by Cameroon. The break displayed the Indomitable Lions' woes, as even though they managed to get the ball forward, Eto'o was without support, and was fortunate to even get a corner.
Egypt then enjoyed their own spell of corners at the other end, and one of these eventually culminated in a superb long-range shot that left Kameni, unsighted, scrambling to save.
The Pharoahs were beginning to dominate the midfield play, although a lack of a final ball was still letting them down, most of all when Motab should have found the unmarked Abou Trika in the box, but blasted his cross far too hard.
Motab then came off for Zidan, with the Egyptians intent on changing the game - and they so nearly did.
Hosny very, very nearly managed to break the deadlock with a powerful header - admittedly born of poor defending - but with Kameni nowhere, his far-post effort smacked off the post.
M'Bami came on for Epalle, joining Idrissou (on for Emana) to become the Lions' third sub, and Cameroon had to use what they had.
But the pace of the game was starting to decline, with only speculative crosses to Idrissou really rousing the crowd. Admittedly, one was a fine ball in from M'Bami, but the Duisburg man could only sky his header.
Then, incredibly, Cameroon threw it all away.
More accurately, Rigobert Song did. The defender, the former champion, the father, the emblematic captain, threw it all away.
Inexplicably, he dallied on the ball under pressure from Zidan, failing to snuff out an Egyptian counter. The Hamburg man, winning the ball with a tremendous show of strength, managed to play the ball across the edge of the box for the onrushing Abou Trika, who gratefully side-footed home past the scrambling Kameni. Egypt deserved their win on the balance of play, but what a way to get it!
Cameroon had to think fast, but their cross on the break soon after conceding was easily gathered by the rock-steady Al Hadari.
They could feel hard-done-by a few seconds later as, right on the edge of the box, Eto'o and Shady both went up for the ball, with the Barcelona striker's overhead kick seeing the ball hit Shady's hand. The referee promptly gave a free-kick against Cameroon, presumably for high feet. Regardless of what it was for, the Lions' players and coach alike were disgusted.
Cameroon then managed to split the defence with some good passing play down the right, with M'Bia being able to get the shot on, only for El-Hadari to push it to safety.
Egypt had begun to show a bit of nerves, sitting back on the edge of the area, as Cameroon enjoyed their only truly creative spell in the game. However, even with corners they were unable to test the 'keeper overmuch, and Egypt set themselves up for the counter.
Here, they were caught offside as stoppage time began, betraying the level to which Cameroon had pushed forward. Yet again, though, there was no end product.
Egypt deserved their win. After a somewhat rushed and tetchy start, they regained the shape that has made them so tough to beat - and sometimes so impressive on the attack - throughout this tournament.
M'bia did well to hold up the ball in the box and try a snapshot with 90 seconds to go, but he could only sky his effort wide as the exhausted Cameroonians threw the dice.
Rigobert Song had the chance to become a hero just seconds from the end, but the captain - inevitably - could only head over the bar. The game was over.
Cameroon, meanwhile, were second-best for most of the game, but arguably didn't deserve to lose like this. When "real" chances came their way, they dealt with them. But if one gives away gilt-edged chances against champions, one cannot be surprised when they take them.
Ali Mohamed
CAF Name Abd Rabou As MVP; Five Egyptians In Best XI
The Pharaohs of Egypt not only clinched the prestigious Africa Cup of Nations for a record sixth time, but also had five of their players make the Confederation of Africa Football's (CAF) list of the best eleven players at the 2008 tournament...
The Pharaohs of Egypt, who were impressive throughout the tournament, had goalkeeper Essam Al-Hadari, defender Wael Gomaa, midfielders Hosni Abd-Rabou and Mohammed Aboutreika and battling striker Amr Zaki listed as top players in their positions.
Abd-Rabou, in fact, was crowned as the tournament's top player.
The African Champions also boast two players on the substitutes' bench for the "African XI", with right back Ahmed Fathi and sweeper Hani Saied serving as back-up.
The top eleven, which was released immediately after the final by the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF), also has two players apiece from Ghana and Cameroon, with one each from Cote d’Ivoire and Angola.
The biggest surprise on the list was the relegation of Chelsea forward Didier Drogba to the bench, with his spot taken by Angolan youngster Manucho.
The best XI:
1. Essam Al-Hadari (Egypt)
2. Wael Gomaa (Egypt)
3. Geremi Njitap (Cameroon)
4. Hosni Abd-Rabou (Egypt)
5. Michael Essien (Ghana)
6. Sulley Muntari (Ghana)
7. Alexandre Song (Cameroon)
8. Yaya Toure (Cote d’Ivoire)
9. Mohammed Abou-Treika (Egypt)
10. Amr Zaki (Egypt)
11. Manucho (Angola)
And the substitutes:
1. Richard Kingson (Ghana)
2. Hani Saied (Egypt)
3. Ahmed Fathi (Egypt)
4. Saber Ben Fraj (Tunisia)
5. Didier Drogba (Cote d’Ivoire)
6. Abdelkader Keita (Cote d’Ivoire)
Awenlimobor Sylvester
Cameroon's Tchato Hails Exceptional Egypt
Cameroon defender Bill Tchato has made no excuses as his side failed to stop Egypt on their way to retaining the African Nations Cup this evening, winning the final 1-0...
Cameroon, as hard as they tried, were no match for Egypt on the night. The score reflects just the single goal, but few would have begrudged the Pharoahs a second or even a third in a truly dominant display from the reigning champions.
It took until the 77th minute for Carlos Kameni - who had been an exceptional saving grace in goal for Cameroon - was finally beaten, as Cameroon veteran and captain Rigobert Song was caught out in defence by Mohamed Zidan who squared it to his namesake and one of the players of the tournament, Aboutrika to finish.
Cameroon had little going forward to trouble the Egyptians as Samuel Eto'o, despite finishing the tournament's top scorer, was unable to score for his third successive game in a row.
Defender Tchato was most definitely put through his paces, only playing due to Andre Bikey's suicidal sending off in the dying minutes of the semi-final win over Ghana, with the Reading stopper pushing over first-aid man Samuel Ashia.
"We have to congratulate Egypt, they deserve their victory," declared Tchato. "In fairness, the best team won.
"They have had a great tournament and we must not forget they were the holders, and their victory two years ago was no fluke.
"We have been playing with our heart and that is what matters in such a tournament."
Cameroon and Newcastle United man Geremi remained positive, highlighting that the team did well to get as far as it did having been largely written off going into the tournament.
"Nobody likes to lose, especially the final, but the positive thing is that we got to the final in the first place because many people did not give us a chance of getting there but we fought hard to get that far," he declared.
Sulmaan Ahmad, Goal.com
Shehata Hails Historic Victory
Egypt coach Hassan Shehata has applauded his Egypt side for defending the African Cup of Nations somewhat against all odds...
Despite going in as reigning champions, little attention was directed Egypt's way, as very few believed they could mount a serious challenge in west Africa.
A star-studded Ivory Coast were the firm favourites going into the competition along with hosts Ghana, while Egypt were largely mentioned in the same breath as the likes of Mali and an underachieving Nigeria side.
However, having shown the best balance between defensive and attacking strength throughout the tournament, their quality told right until the very end, as they beat a spirited Cameroon side by a single goal in the final this evening.
For the Fans
Egypt's boss Hassan Shehata has praised his team's effort to overcome the odds and is delighted with retaining the crown, Egypt's sixth in total, which is a record in itself.
"Ghana was always going to be difficult with so many strong teams [south of the Sahara], but we did well," declared Shehata.
"We tried to take the game with good football, for Egypt and for the fans, and it proved enough to win."
Great Achievement
Mohamed Aboutrika was the match-winner late on, after star player Mohamed Zidan - only on as a substitute due to injury - forced an error from Cameroon captain and hero Rigobert Song.
Aboutrika declared his delight with the win, saying: "We are delighted to win. It's a great achievement.
"Now we have to make sure that we keep this form going into the World Cup qualifiers.
"It's one of the greatest days of my life. It's up there with winning the African Champions League."
Egypt were always favourites going into the final, having hammered Cameroon 4-1 in their opening game, though a side led by Barcelona star Samuel Eto'o put in a much better display this time around.
The writing was on the wall as soon as Egypt annihilated tournament favourites and form side Ivory Coast - again 4-1 - in the semi-finals; a game in which Ivory Coast had more of the attacking play and chances, but Egypt's defensive resolve, attacking efficiency and experience in front of goal were the hallmarks of a truly great and more well-rounded side.
Simply the Best
Cameroon legend and all-time top scorer Patrick Mboma - himself a two time back-to-back winner of the tournament in 2000 and 2002 - conceded Egypt were good value for their victory.
"It's tremendous that we [Cameroon] reached the final with small preparations and the late appointment of a coach, but Egypt is the best football team in Africa today," he admitted.
"They have a team based on local players, so they know each other very well."
The Egyptians' record six wins began with another back-to-back sequence in 1957 and then 1959. In 1986 they got their third title, beating Cameroon as they did this time around, though on that occasion the match went to penalties. Their next win came in 1998 and then the 2006 win was followed by the sixth today, in 2008.
Sulmaan Ahmad, Goal.com
Saudi Prince Gives US$180,400 To Eygpt National Team
Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal has donated US$180,400 to the Egyptian national football team.
The billionaire opened his chequebook and made the cash reward to the African Nations Cup holders as a form of his support ahead of their final against Cameroon on Sunday.
"This gesture was in support of the team reaching the finals after winning their match against Ivory Coast," said a statement from Kingdom Holding, a company owned by the Prince Alwaleed bin Talal.
Joel Morrison