Egypt's Pharaohs crowned Kings of Africa for the sixth time

الأحد، 10 فبراير 2008 - 19:58

كتب : Mohamed Sabe

Egypt won a record sixth African title on Sunday after a much deserved 1-0 victory over four-time champions Cameroon in Accra.

Mohamed Abou-Treika scored what proved to be the winning goal in the 76th minute after a valiant effort from substitute Mohamed Zidan.

This is the second time that Egypt beat Cameroon in the final after the 1986 edition in Cairo which the Pharaohs won on penalties.

Hassan Shehata became only the second coach to win two back to back African titles after Ghana's Charles Kumi Gyamfi.

The Egyptians earned a deserved win despite the early pressure from the Cameroonian Lions.

The Egyptians put Cameroon keeper Idriss Carlos Kameni to test on several occasions through attempts from Hosni Abd-Rabou, Sayed Moawad, Abou-Treika and the lackluster Emad Meteb who wasted two clear opportunities with the goal at his mercy.

In the 18th minute Geremi fired a long range free-kick that was denied by Essam Al-Hadari who later on received a knock from Samuel Eto'o.

Amr Zaki responded with another effort from a long-range free-kick in the 41st minute.

Egypt came into the second-half with all guns blazing and almost grabbed the lead in the 51st minute when he slammed a fierce volley that was brilliantly denied by the in-form Kameni.

Hosni comes close again with a precise header that rattles the post from a pinpoint Abou-treika cross at the far post in the 61st minute.

Egypt's domination finally paid off in the 76th minute when Zidan chased a lost-cause pass from captain Ahmed Hassan.

The Hamburg ace hunted down Cameroon skipper Rigobert Song and snatched the ball in the area before squaring it to the onrushing Abou-Treika who slots home clinically.

Cameroon mounted several raids on Essam Al-Hadari's goal but the Ahli guardian made some solid saves to keep a clean sheet.

Hosni Abd-Rabou was named Player of the Tournament while Samuel Eto'o grabbed the top-scorer award with his five goals.

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