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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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LUANDA, Angola: Egypt won the African Cup of Nations for the third time in a row on Sunday after substitute Mohamed Gedo scored in the 85th minute to earn a 1-0 victory over Ghana in the final.
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 Egypt's players celebrate victory in their African Nations Cup final soccer match against Ghana in Luanda January 31, 2010. [Agencies]
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No other team has won the biennial tournament three consecutive times.
Egypt, which hasn't played in a World Cup since 1990, will again miss the showcase tournament this summer. Unbeaten in 19 matches in the African Cup, the team lost to Algeria last November in the playoffs for a World Cup place in South Africa.
"We play better during big tournaments than during our qualifying campaigns," Garib said. "Over three weeks, it's easier to develop team cohesion."
Egypt scored 15 goals and conceded just two on its way to the title and secured victories over four World Cup qualifiers: Nigeria, Cameroon, Algeria and Ghana.
"I'm really proud of the players' achievements," Garib said.
Ghana, which had been hoping to earn its first continental crown since 1982, dominated for most of the match but failed to create clearcut chances.
"We played carefully, we were very patient and methodical," Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac said. "We played to score and we controled the match. It was unfortunate to concede a goal."
Egypt played without suspended striker Mahmoud Fathallah while Ghana was at full strength with goalkeeper Richard Kingson overcoming a minor hamstring injury to start.
Meeting in the final for the first time in 53 years, both teams made a cautious start, scrapping for possession in midfield and struggling to create chances.
Ghana defender Samuel Inkoom tried his luck with a free kick from 30 meters in the eighth minute, while Egypt captain Hamed Hassan fared no better with a long-range effort five minutes later which flew over the bar.
Fielding four members of the team that won the Under20 World Cup last year, Ghana defended neatly and were able to move swiftly into the Egypt half. However, Ghana failed to really support its strikers.
Enjoying the support of the Angolan crowd, Ghana had another chance in the 15th minute but Agyeman Badu's shot from a free kick was deflected wide.
