African Nations Cup

Hi!

Enjoyed this year's Cup of Nations despite the off-field incidents. Final review below and my thoughts on the tournament in general to come soon.

Mark A.

Super-sub Mohamed Gedo’s late strike sealed a third consecutive African Cup of Nations for Egypt- the first time any nation has done so.
Ghana’s young side battled valiantly and although offering little in attack they matched the holders for large periods.
But Gedo, who finishes as the tournaments top scorer, came on and played a one-two with Mohamed Zidan before finishing clinically to seal the trophy for the Pharaohs.
It’s the first time any of the African sides have won three competitions in a row, and means the trophy will stay in Cairo.
Egypt were made to work for their seventh Nations Cup by Ghana, as Eric Addo almost snatched a lifeline with nearly the last kick of the game but the ball wouldn’t fall in the box for the substitute.
Asamoah Gyan was Ghana’s main outlet and he hit two long range efforts over and came close with a curling effort from the edge of the box in the second half.
A largely eventless first half saw Kwadwo Asamoah shoot straight at Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary from 25 yards.
Ahmed Hassan went closest for the holders in the first period but failed to test Richard Kingston in the Ghana goal- the ‘keeper having shown signs of several injuries and allowing his defender to take his goal kicks.
And customarily in this year’s tournament there were several cards dished out- not least to Ghana’s Aygemang Opoku, who was lucky to escape with only booking for a two-footed challenge on Ahmed El-Mohamady.
But as time ticked on Egypt held on despite waves of late Ghana pressure and the joy shown by Gedo’s goal celebrations continuing long into the future as the failure to qualify for the World Cup in South Africa is buried by yet another tournament win.