Egypt: African Nations Champion 2008

Defending champions Egypt won a record sixth title with a fully-deserved 1-0 victory over Cameroon at the Ohene Djan Stadium on Sunday.

The defending champions ensured they held on to the trophy when, after a slick passing movement, Aboutraika struck in the 77th minute.

The result was the Pharoahs final act in what has been a hugely impressive campaign in Ghana which saw them build on defeat of the Cameroonians in their opening group game to record victories over Sudan, Tunisia and Ivory Coast in the semi-finals.

The only minor blemish on an otherwise perfect passage to the continental trophy was the 1-1 draw with Zambia.
Egypt were adding the 2008 trophy to their wins in 1957, 1959, 1986 (on penalties against Cameroon), 1998 and 2006 with coach Hassan Shehata joining an exclusive club numbering just two of coaches who have won back-to-back titles.

Stars Failed To Shine

Alain Nkong put Cameroon into the African Cup of Nations by scoring the only goal Wednesday in a 1-0 win over host Ghana.Nkong scored in the 71st minute off a pass from Samuel Eto'o.Cameroon will play either Ivory Coast or Egypt in the final.

They play in the other semifinal match later Thursday. Cameroon defender Andre Bikey was sent off in injury time for pushing a medical worker.

2wo Stars fell on an Eagle

Ghana proved to Nigeruia that when it comes to soccer, there is a difference between pure guts and witt, and loud empty talk. "Agoro Eni fom" is the Ghanaian way of puttin it. For many this is the final before the final. And the game lived up to its billing. In the end Ghana proved their essence in the competition.

Gili hails Ivory Coast's composure in Guinea win

Ivory Coast coach Gerard Gili hailed his players' composure following their 5-0 thrashing of Guinea in the African Nations Cup quarter-finals on Sunday.

The Elephants, who will meet either Tunisia or Cameroon for a place in the final, struggled until Didier Drogba scored the second goal on 70 minutes.

It was then all too easy for Ivory Coast, who added three within 13 minutes through a Salomon Kalou double and a Bakary Kone goal.

"It was a very complicated match until our second goal," Gili told reporters.
"Guinea was causing us a lot of trouble and until we doubled our tally, there was a chance for Guinea to equalise in a counter-attack," the Frenchman added.

Ivory Coast opened the scoring in the 25th minute with an Abdelkader Keita goal but then failed to convert their chances, with Aruna Dindane missing an open goal after dribbling past Guinea keeper Kemoko Camara.

"Somehow, we managed to be patient and my players held their composure. They were very thorough and I want to congratulate them for that," said Gili.

"The first half was hard," said centre back Kolo Toure, who was sitting on the substitutes bench"When we were 2-0 up, it became quite easy but before that, I can tell you it was very complicated."

Toure said he should be 100 percent fit again for Thursday's semi-final in Kumasi. (Editing by Rex Gowar)

Ghana 2 Morocco 0

Gyan brothers drop walkout threat

Ghana players Asamoah Gyan and Baffour Gyan threatened to walk out on the Black Stars in the wake of their unconvincing 1-0 win over Namibia.

BBC Sport has learnt the brothers had packed their bags and were ready to leave the team hotel on Saturday but were persuaded to stay by team-mates.Asamoah, 22, was booed during Thursday's match after missing several scoring chances for the host nation.

Some local radio stations in Accra strongly criticised him on Saturday.After hearing the sports discussion programmes, Asamoah decided to leave, and older brother Baffour joined him in solidarity.Asamoah plays for Udinese in Italy's Serie A.

Some radio stations had been going on all morning with personal attacks on Asamoah and in fact we are all sick of thisUnnamed Ghana playerGhana FA spokesman Randy Abbey denied any knowledge of the issue, but two players in the Black Stars camp have confirmed the incident to BBC Sport.A player who spoke to the BBC on condition of anonymity said: "We were shocked when we saw Asamoah and Baffour dressed up to leave the national team hotel.

"Some radio stations had been going on all morning with personal attacks on Asamoah and in fact we are all sick of this."Players and coaches came in and we ensured that they stayed with the team."The threat from the Gyan brothers came just a day after Asamoah made an emotional appeal to fans of the Black Stars over Thursday's taunts.Asamoah said: "I'm very sad because Ghanaians know what I can do on the field. The downfall of a man is not the end of his life.

"I have played 22 games for my country and scored 15 goals at my age."So if things are not going well, I expect encouragement from the fans, not criticism."I am working on my play and I will find my rhythm. If things go well it will be better for the team and Ghanaians as well."The Black Stars have been unimpressive despite winning their opening two games in Group A of the tournament.
Source:Ibrahim Sannie for BBC Sport

Egypt spanks Cameroon 4-2 in opening of Group ‘C’ match

Egypt, reigning African Champions, started their title defence with 4 - 2 spanking of Cameroon in the opening Group ‘C’ match of Ghana 2008 played at Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Tuesday.

The Pharoahs of Egypt did not spare the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon when they opened scoring in the 13th minute through a spot kick taken by Abdel Moteleb Abdrabou after Tsafack Nguemo Landry handled the ball in his vital area.
Before Cameroonians could put things together, the Egyptians, who were all over the field, increased the tally in the 14th minute through Abdalla Mohammed Zidan in a combined move with Fathy Abdel Ibrahim.

The Cameroonians accepted the challenge and came close to redeeming a goal but Landry, who had moved deep into the vital area of the Egyptians, shot wide in the 25th minute. The Lions continued to mount forays into the Egyptians territory but a chance that came their way in the 38th minute was squandered.

Zidan was on target again in the 45th minute to end the first half 3 - 0. Back from recess, Coach Otto Pfister of Cameroon introduced Alexandria Billong Song for Landry to tighten the midfield and this paid off as Indomitable Lions improved on their performance. It was, therefore, not surprising when they pulled a goal back in the 50th minute through Samuel Etoo, who nodded home a cross from Geremi Njitap.

They continued to improve on their game as Etoo, who had since the commencement of the game had been policed by the defence of Egyptians, distributed excellent passes. The Egyptians also brought in Mohamed Abouterika for Mansour Zakry Hasan in the 59th minute. In the 63rd minute, Joel Epalle of Cameroon was fouled and a free-kick taken by Njitap was pushed to Etoo but his shot missed the post narrowly.

The Cameroonians tightened their defence and made sure that the Egyptians could not create any more havoc for them while they launched a series of attacks. However, the Egyptians managed to break through the defence and made it 4-1 through Abdrabou Abdel, whose terrific shot caught goalkeeper Carlos Idris Kameni crawling in the 71st minute.

The Pharaohs then on took absolute control of the game but the defence built around Rigobert Song stood gallantly. The Cameroonians came close to redeeming a goal in the 75th minute and Epalle in an attempt to score from Mohamadou Idrissou cross collided with Egyptian goalkeeper Hadary Tawfik El Kamal, which brought about a hold up for them to be treated. Etoo scored from a spot kick awarded the Cameroonians during added time to bring the final score to 4-2 in favour of Egypt.

Zidan of Egypt was crowned the MTN man-of-the match.
Line up: Egypt: Kamal El Hadary, Fathalla Abdou Ibrahim, Mohamed Said Gad, Fathy Abdel Meneim Ibrahim, Abdrabou Abdel Moteleb, Abdalla Mohamed Zidan/El Mohamady Abdel Fatah Aly, Mohamed Abdelnabi Ibrahim, Shawky Aly Salam, Moawad Abdel Wahed/Mohamed Abdel Fattah Ragab, Mansour Zakry Hasan/Mohamed Abou Terika, Elhawty Kamel Gomaa.

Cameroon: Carlos Idris Kameni, Rigobert Song, Atouba Thimothee, Jeremi Njitap, Samuel Etoo, Macoun Jean, Landry Njuemo Tsafack/Alexandre Billong Song, Joel Epalle, Mohamadou Idrissou, Stephane Etoundi Mbia, Andre Amoujou Bikey.GNA