Pharaoh result

So it's goodbye Ghana and congratulations to Egypt, African champions for a record sixth time after Sunday's 1-0 win over Cameroon in the Africa Cup of Nations final. Mohamed Aboutrika's 76th-minute winner was enough for Hasan Shehata to become the second manager to win successive titles.

Egypt were the best team, if not the most talented individuals. The squad's make-up must have been a factor in that unity: almost all the Egypt side play in their nation's domestic league, and about half for Al-Ahly. Egypt couldn't even call on their most famous player, Middlesbrough's Mido, and Mohamed Shawky, also based on Teesside, was only a substitute yesterday. In contrast, almost all the Cameroon team ply their trade in Europe.

While Egypt take the prize that matters, here's a few other suggestions to mark the end of yet another highly entertaining Cup; feel free to disagree...

Player of the tournament: Junior Agogo. The Nottingham Forest striker became a superstar in his native land by scoring the winner against Nigeria that put Ghana into the semi-finals. So much so that an 82-year-old man offered Agogo his granddaughter in appreciation of his efforts. The official man of the tournament was Hosni Abd Rabou, who scored four times - not bad from midfield and only one behind the top scorer, Samuel Eto'o, who is now the competition's all-time record scorer. Essam Al-Hadari, the Egypt goalkeeper, also deserves an honourable mention.

Blunder of the tournament: There are a few defences who might qualify but it has to go to Andre Bikey, of Cameroon and Reading, who missed the final because he was sent off for shoving a medic in the semis.

Goal of the tournament: There were 99 to choose from over 32 games, many brilliant. Amid plenty of long-range strikes, such as Manucho's 30-yarder for Angola against Egypt, Salomon Kalou's dribble then fine finish for the Ivory Coast against Nigeria stood out. Why can't he do it for Chelsea?

Game of the tournament: Egypt's stunning 4-1 demolition of the highly-fancied Ivory Coast in the semi-finals is hard to beat.

Comments

[Saleh Hasaballa]

The Egyptian squad didnt include those 4 caliber players: Mido, Ghali, Barakat, Chicabala. though i would only agree with the latest 3 as mido was injured. among the players we only had 2 or 3 non-consistent european league players. Only one playing for english league and he was only a sub in a couple of times. the rest of the team are local (proles). despite all above, the team produced an attacking and envious flair style. they also showed a fighting spirit that no other team can qualify or defy. one of those rare times that myself as egyptian would have love to be in egpyt among those millions that took on to the street celebrating this brilliant and magnifiscent victory.

[Brian]

Not only did Egypt thrash the pre-tournament favorites and twice beat the most successful African country of this decade, but they did so playing an attacking style that's totally atypical of North African teams. Full credit to Shetaha and his charges.

[Egyptian]

CONGRATULATIONS to my belived EGYPT I love u EGYPT

May Allah keep you always up and victorious :)

[ahmed el wahsh]

A Pharaohs Win, thats all i have to say for the quality and style that Egypt's wing-men played last night. This bought up the subject which Terry Darracott and Colin Harvey (both Bolton Wanderers) had to say for brazil:

“The thing about Brazil, unlike the others, is that they do all this lovely stuff, but they are also really, really hard,” he said. “They are always organized, and have some big, tough defenders who are not afraid to get stuck in.”

And thats where Egypt kicked into place winning the African Cup six consecutive times in a row.

Of course this names Egypt as Africa's 'Heavy Weight' football and not only that but it'll be a shame for Egypt not to be entered for the 2010 World Cup and play with Team B's which is currently NOT their league. This team could be the African team that crashes the Euro-South American barricades through to the World Cup’s later stages.

So..come on Egypt, and let the world hold on...