The champions were received by president Mohamed Hosni Mubarak as well as thousands of ecstatic fans, who celebrated the trophy with the players.

"We tried to take the game with good football, for Egypt and for the fans," said Shehata, who has become only the second manager in Africa's history to clinch back-to-back titles.

"Ghana was always going to be difficult with so many strong teams (south of the Sahara), but we did well," he was quoted as saying by BBC Sport.

The former Zamalek star has been subjected to severe criticism before the competition, but he has won the respect of Egyptian people after his feat in Ghana.