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Egypt beats Ghana 1-0 to earn African Cup title
(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-02-01 10:21
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 Confetti rains down as Egypt's Mohamed Zidan (R) holds up the Africa Cup of Nations trophy beside team mate Moussa Narry (2nd R) and goalie Essam El Hadary after they defeated Ghana in the final in Luanda January 31, 2010. [Agencies]
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Andre Ayew, the son of African great Abedi Pele, then failed to take advantage of Egypt's poor clearance in the 20th minute, fluffing his half-volley while unmarked in the box, moments before Kwadwo Asamoah fired a 30-meter drive directly into the hands of Essam El Hadary.
Hassan tried to latch onto a free kick with his hand four minutes before the interval but couldn't catch the ball.
Asamoah Gyan, who scored Ghana's winners against both Angola and Nigeria in the previous stages, went close in the 52nd minute with a perfectly curled free kick that was tipped over the bar by El Hadary.
Ghana maintained its domination as Ayew unleashed a low shot that ended just wide while Egypt players were forced to make fouls to contain their opponents' speed.
Gyan was a threat again in the 74th minute when he missed the target following a quick counterattack before forcing El Hadary to palm the ball away on a free kick.
Egypt finally broke the deadlock against the run of the play when Gedo, the top striker of the tournament with five goals, was perfectly set up on the left side of the box after a nice one-two and scored with a curling shot past Kingson at the far post.
Egyptians players and members of their staff invaded the field at the final whistle while fans lit flares. Striker Mohamed Zidan was blocked by security officers as he tried to reach the stands and was unable to join Egypt's fans in their celebrations.
The team's success was celebrated loudly in Cairo, with roving bands of revelers hitting the streets, banging drums, blasting air horns and setting off fireworks. One man spun an Egyptian flag around him in the style of a whirling dervish.
"They played with confidence and seemed convinced they could pull off a miracle at the end and they did that," said Nabil Abdel-Hay, 57, who watched the match with hundreds of others on an outdoor screen in downtown Cairo.
The victory also brought out disappointment that Egypt _ while it dominates Africa _ failed to qualify for the World Cup.
"I believed this team deserved to get to the World Cup," Abdel-Hay said. "It's because they didn't get in to the World Cup that they played with double the energy to get here."
Abdel-Hay praised goalkeeper Essam El Hadary: "He was amazing. He gave us a previous Africa's Cup the same way."
As for Gedo and the substitute's five goals throughout the tournament, Abdel-Hay said, "He only plays 20 minutes, but he always gets a goal."
