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)