Pharaohs re-write record books with hat-trick

By Mark Chumba in Luanda

Egypt re-wrote the history of African football when they lifted the 27th Africa Cup of Nations in Luanda on Sunday. And with that success, Egypt will go down in history books as the first nation to win the cup three times in a row and seven times in total.

If that had been achieved on Egyptian soil, the country would have burst with overnight celebrations. But still their 1,500 drumming supporters tried to take control of Luanda after the Pharaohs beat Ghana 1-0 in a tight Cup final at November 11 Stadium.

Egypt, one of the founder members of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) were hell-bent to win the CAN 2010 title and redeem themselves after Algeria denied them a slot to the World Cup in South Africa in June.

Fresh reports

In one of the most dramatic CAN 2010 contests, Egypt had to punish Algeria with a comprehensive 4-0 win to confirm their pedigree and supremacy in Africa. That match and its results caused heads to fall across the continent and fresh reports have emerged that Algerian goalkeeper Chaouchi could be dropped from the World Cup for indiscipline.

In the Cup final on Sunday, Egypt took no chances as brave Ghana threw everything into the game, as they had nothing to lose. In a match of few chances, Ghana were more relaxed and this saw them produce their best in the three-week competition. Little separated the two sides, although Egypt pushed the game deeper into the half of Ghana for long periods of the match.

But any break Ghana made shook the Pharaohs and this almost caught them flat foot twice in the first half when Andre Ayew and Gyan Asamoah came close. But it was always Egypt who looked strong and more ambitions in the tense 90 minutes that was heavily fought out in the mid-field.

Egyptians prevail

As the clock ticked, so did Ghana grow in confidence with Egypt showing signs of fatigue and desperation.

It was at this stage that Egyptian coach Ali Hassan Shehata brought on Mohamed Gedo with 18 minutes remaining and the substitution changed the balance of the game.

Gedo, the Super-sub of CAN 2010 finally broke the deadlock in the 85th minute when they exchanged passes with roaming Wael Gomma and the super-sub snatched the decider to settle the nerves of the restless Egyptians.

The goal did not destroy Ghana. They picked themselves up bravely in the last four minutes stretching the Pharaohs to the limit but the depth of the Egyptians prevailed, ensuring that the trophy went to Cairo for good.

Egypt will never enjoy a competition in their life as they did in Angola where they disciplined all the other big guns of African football. Grouped in pool C alongside Nigeria, Benin and Mozambique, Egypt sounded of their intention with a 3-1 swamp over Nigeria. Ghana returned home yesterday morning on a chartered flight and will also be feted as heroes.