Pharaohs get consolation from Nations Cup triumph
Feb 01, 2010
LUANDA - Egypt’s record third successive African Nations Cup triumph underlined how much of a blow missing out on the 2010 World Cup finals is to the country.
LUANDA - Egypt’s record third successive African Nations Cup triumph underlined how much of a blow missing out on the 2010 World Cup finals is to the country.
Egypt enhanced their reputation as one of the continent’s best sides by winning the title for a record seventh time after a 1-0 victory over Ghana in Sunday’s final in Angola.
But for all their mastery at the Nations Cup, Egypt have consistently failed to qualify for world soccer’s showcase event. Egypt’s last appearance at the World Cup came in 1990 in Italy.
Their most recent flop came in November when they were beaten 1-0 in a play-off by Algeria to miss out on this year’s finals in South Africa.
But coach Hassan Shehata called his side the greatest ever in African football after Sunday’s victory.
Egypt’s success in Angola, however, did have something of a World Cup feel to it.
They thumped Algeria 4-0 in the semi-final in Benguela and beat three other World Cup-bound teams –– Ghana, Cameroon and Nigeria –– en route to the title.
Earlier, captain Ahjmed Hassan, again named player of the tournament, insisted winning three African titles was a better achievement than going to the World Cup.
“It is true to say that every player dreams of playing at the Word Cup but I think three Nations Cup titles is better than the World Cup, where you probably play three games and go home,†he told Reuters.
Egypt enhanced their reputation as one of the continent’s best sides by winning the title for a record seventh time after a 1-0 victory over Ghana in Sunday’s final in Angola.
But for all their mastery at the Nations Cup, Egypt have consistently failed to qualify for world soccer’s showcase event. Egypt’s last appearance at the World Cup came in 1990 in Italy.
Their most recent flop came in November when they were beaten 1-0 in a play-off by Algeria to miss out on this year’s finals in South Africa.
But coach Hassan Shehata called his side the greatest ever in African football after Sunday’s victory.
Egypt’s success in Angola, however, did have something of a World Cup feel to it.
They thumped Algeria 4-0 in the semi-final in Benguela and beat three other World Cup-bound teams –– Ghana, Cameroon and Nigeria –– en route to the title.
Earlier, captain Ahjmed Hassan, again named player of the tournament, insisted winning three African titles was a better achievement than going to the World Cup.
“It is true to say that every player dreams of playing at the Word Cup but I think three Nations Cup titles is better than the World Cup, where you probably play three games and go home,†he told Reuters.