CAN Egypt? Yes, they can!

The Pharaohs are once again sitting pretty at the head of Africa tonight, after retaining the African Cup of Nations for a record-breaking 3rd consecutive tournament. This is the 7th time Egypt has won the competition, more than any other African nation and yet we will not have the pleasure of watching them in South Africa.

Egypt strolled through the group stages of the tournament, beating Mozambique, Benin and Nigeria with ease. The side managed to score 7 goals in the process and only let in 1 against Nigeria. The side had qualified comfortably, but their quarter final appearance against Cameroon was a nervous affair. However, an uncharacteristic sloppy mistake by Geremi in extra-time helped the Pharaohs to continue their progress into the semis.

The Egyptian’s then mummified any echoes of Algerian taunts, after their bitter rivals beat them in a play-off for a final World Cup place, by demolishing an ill-disciplined side that could not live up to their World Cup qualifying credentials, by being completely outclassed by their north African counterparts. 4-0 was the final score in the semi-final, although it could have been more, as for the amount of men Algeria had on the pitch at the end of night, 8, that could have been less.

The eagerly anticipated final meant that the tournament’s top scorers would be facing a Ghana side that had won 3 out of its 4 games 1-0. It was a tense affair, with neither side making any break through, until super-sub Gedo scored for Egypt in the 85th minute to avoid any extra-time boredom. Gedo deserved his title of super-sub more than most, having ended the competition as the golden boot winner, having scored 5 goals in 6 games, all from substitute appearances.

So, the party in Cairo will be an all-night affair, their lack of appearance at the upcoming World Cup, for the moment a distant thought of sorrow. Yet, there is the worry that their victory will be overshadowed by the events that occurred beforehand. The Togo team bus was attacked by gunmen, emulating in the Togo government recalling their players from Angola.

The Confederation of African Football has subsequently banned the side from the next 2 tournaments, a decision which had left many bewildered and outraged. How they expect any side to play after seeing team members being killed days before is just ridiculous. At the end of the day, there are more important things than getting one over your rivals, or four for that matter, even more important than winning the tournament, so let’s just hope that while Egypt celebrates their title, CaF think about their decision and reinstate Togo back into Africa’s greatest cup.