Ghana 0 - Egypt 1: Pharaohs Rule. ANC Review, Best XI, CAF stinks.
By Stanley Croyance
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,,2010 Africa Nations Cup
Egypt vs Ghana Review

29 matches, 71 goals, the 2010 Africa Nations Cup hasn't been vintage, but it has been a good tournament, and is firmly set as one of the leading tournaments in world football. Despite the attacks on the Togo team that claimed 3 lives, all the talking points will be football related. Egypt have become the Greatest African Team ever after winning the tournament 3 sides in a row, 2006-2008-2010, a remarkable achievement.


The final itself wasn't the greatest, both sides very well organized and compact, looking to make the difference from set pieces and lofted balls. Surprisingly, Ghana showed absolutely no fear or signs of intimidation against a formidable opponent, keeping the ball well and trying to make Egypt come out and get it from them. Egypt on the otherhand looked to get it to captain Hassan to connect with the ever lively Zidan on quick breaks.


The winner arrived 5 minutes from time, Zidan threading a perfect through ball to Geddo, who cut inside Vorsah on the left and curled an effort around Kingson. A goal worthy of winning the tournament in my books.

We must congratulate Egypt, I personally never expected them to reach this final, precisely because it is very difficult to reach 3 finals in a row, Ghana reached 4 in the 60's, as did Egypt and Cameroon, neither being able to win it 3 times in a row. Without key men like Aboutreike-Barakat-Mido-Zaky,Egypt have shown a supreme winning mentality, beating Nigeria, Cameroon and Algeria before the final, setting a world record for the longest unbeaten run in tournament football.


Ghana have very solid building blocks for the future, a number were from the 2009 World U-20 winning squad, so to reach a final with young players, only bodes well for them. Well done, without 7 of their key players, they have done themselves proud.



CAF Stinks

CAF can be praised for a lot of things, enhancing the standing of African football, building infrastructure in new countries, but with them banning Togo for 2 ANC tournaments is a disgrace to this institution, football fans and common decency. Togo pulled out as they rightfully went home to mourn their dead, and despite political involvement, from the start, CAF showed little sympathy to Togo. To rub salt further into a very deep wound, with an additional US$50 000 fine stinks. There are hopes that Togo may be invited to the 2011 Copa America to ensure they get a tournament, but even if Togo appeal and are successful, this should be a dagger in the careers of the administrators at CAF.


Team of the Tournament

Having watched all the games and covered them here on Footbo.com, this is my proposed Team of the Tournament.

Formation: 3-4-3.

GK: Essam El-Hadary, Egypt. Despite the heroics of Gabons Ovono, El Hadary only gave up 2 goals in 6 games, and was a pillar of calm and assuredness, top keeper.

CB: Wael Gomaa, Egypt. Part of a defence that gave up 2 goals in 6 games, commanding and intelligent.

CB: Isaac Vorsah, Ghana. Ghana were star struck in the opening game against Cote d'Ivoire, in the rest, he was a rock, physical, mobile, and passed well out of defence, set for a bright future.

CB: Al Muhammadi, Egypt. Despite playing wide right, he was strong defensively and very lively going forward, Sunderland have got a good deal in buying him.

RW: Mabina, Angola. A constant danger down the right, won't be playing in Angola for long if he continues like this, stunning stuff.

LW: Gilberto, Angola. Another stunning show on the flank, Angola had the best wide players in the tournament, his inch perfect crosses were always dangerous.

CM: Emmanuel Agyeman Badu, Ghana. A member of the U-20 World Cup winning squad, alongside Kwadwo Asamoah, he asphyxiated the midfield with his energy and tackles. At 19, he has a good future ahead of him.

CM: Ahmed Hassan, Egypt. Captain, and 172 caps, the 34year old dictated the play and on his record breaking match of 170 caps, netted twice against Cameroon in the quarter finals. Player of the whole tournament.

CF: Flavio, Angola. Only scored in two of his three games, but with luck, would have scored against Ghana in the quarters. Full of running, good technique and tactical understanding, and for a short player, very good in the air.

CF: Mohamed Zidan, Egypt. Scored only once, but was integral to everything Egypt did, and can lay claim to being one of the continents finest. His excellent work ensured team mate Geddo ended up with the Golden Boot.

CF: Geddo, Egypt. 0 starts, 6 games, 5 goals. Very lethal, doesn't need two chances to score, and his effort in the final was sumptuous. Having only made his debut in December 2009, he looks to have a good future ahead of him, 8 caps, 5 goals, all without starting a single game.

Coach: Hassan Shehata, Egypt. One of the greatest coaches in African football, and all without ever coaching either of the big Egfypt two of Al Ahly or Zamalek, his 6 years at the helm has brought 3 trophies. Although he is yet to reach the World Cup, he should be proud of his exploits in this tournament, his tactics and selections are always perfect.


Worst XI

GK: Yohan Djidonou, Benin.
CB: Rigobert Song, Cameroon.
CB: Soulemayne Diamoutene, Mali
RB: Geremi, Cameroon.
LB: Dario Kahn, Mozambique.
RM: Mamadou Bagayoko, Mali.
LM: Taye Taiwo, Nigeria.
CM: Mahamadou Diarra, Mali.
CM: Yaya Toure, Cote d'Ivoire.
CF: Drogba, Cote d'Ivoire.
CF: Yakubu, Nigeria.

5  Comments
01.02.2010 04:39
Yaya in the worst 11 ? Did he play that badly in the tournament ? I wonder if his form has gone down this season, or was it just bad adjustment to his national team. As for CAF, I agree with you man, its disgusting to ban Togo. Can't FIFA intervene in this ?? And does CAF have any role to play in the 2010 World Cup ??
01.02.2010 15:04
I never thought Yaya Toure scaled the heights that he can, such as in 2006 where he was the chief architect of everything his team did. He set up one goal with a well weighted pass, but his capitulation against Algeria was shocking, if he had the Barcelona shirt, he'd have run into the ground to reverse the scores, as it was, Algeria bypassed him with ease to launch attack after attack. It's interesting, many of the European 'stars' haven't glittered in this tournament, if they had their eyes on their clubs, they shouldn't have come in the first place. The tournament was still special even without these big names making an impact, Ghana had around 80% of their starting lineup out including Essien and still got to the final, Egypt have won this twice and never let up on their laurels.As for CAF, not sure they have much influence over the World Cup, most of that is done by FIFA, but still very insensitive by them. I hope FIFA do intervene, if not publicly, then behind closed doors.
By  dank
01.02.2010 15:17
dude, you've done it again. love your brutal honesty about CAF too. sometimes there is just a little bit of logic missing from some of the decisions made by the world's footballing bodies, which is then followed-up with stubborness on their part to correct things...
By  herro20
03.02.2010 21:39
But I see the worst GK is ANC is chaouchi , he accepted 8 goals is 5 matchs only and he showed an indiscipline behavior with the Referee and opponent's players . thankx
By  herro20
03.02.2010 21:40
But I see the worst GK is ANC is chaouchi from Algerie, he accepted 8 goals is 5 matchs only and he showed an indiscipline behavior with the Referee and opponent's players . thankx
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