Egypt secure third successive Nations Cup title

LUANDA, (Reuters) – Substitute Mohamed Nagui scored  five minutes from time to hand Egypt an unprecedented third  successive African Nations Cup title after a 1-0 victory over  Ghana yesterday.

It was a far from impressive performance from the Egyptians  but a rare attack near the end of the match gave Nagui his fifth  goal of the tournament and snatched a record seventh African  championship for his country.

He curled a shot into the Ghana net from a tight angle after  a smart one-two with striker Mohamed Zidan, who had been largely  anonymous throughout the game.
“We have achieved what no other side has ever done. This is  the best team ever in the history (of African football),” said  victorious coach Hassan Shehata.

Ghana, badly affected by injury to key players, had  surprised many with their progress to the final but despite an  inexperienced line-up they took the game to their opponents.

Egypt, who missed out on qualification for this year´s World  Cup finals, started with nine of their winning team from two  years ago while only two of Ghana´s side had been born when they  last won the Nations Cup in 1982.
“We won this to make up for the disappointment of the World  Cup,” defender Wael Gomaa told a news conference.

CAGEY GAME

Ghana created more of the limited chances in a cagey game,  devoid of any tempo and pace in the muggy and humid conditions  in the Angolan capital.

Striker Asamoah Gyan, who played a lone role up front, was  full of enterprise and came close with several efforts, all of  them from outside the box.

Most of the goal-bound efforts came from long range as both  defences held tight for much of the game and players retreated  quickly behind the ball when without possession.
Egypt had two opportunities midway through the second half  but both Emad Moteab and Zidan were let down by their first  touch.

Ghana might have forced the game into extra time with the  last attack of the match after a cross from Samuel Inkoom evaded  the Egypt defence but fell wide off the chest of substitute Eric  Addo.

The win meant Egypt extended their run of unbeaten games at  the Nations Cup to 19.
Captain Ahmed Hassan, named man of the match, became the  first player to win four Nations Cup medals.