Today

AFCON Final

Egypt vs Ghana
Kick-off: 6pm SS3

Yesterday
Third place play-off
Nigeria 1-0 Algeria

LUANDA - After successfully negotiating their two main obstacles, Cameroon and Algeria, Egypt have now set their sights firmly on their seventh overall AFCON trophy. The reigning champions have hit form just at the right time and for Ahmed Hassan and company, this is a golden opportunity to become the first nation to win the title three times in a row.

With 14 goals in five matches, Egypt have impressed almost everyone at this year’s AFCON, and many pundits strongly believe they will carry that momentum into matchday on Sunday. But Hassan Shehata and his boys are not interested in all the analyses, predictions and criticisms.

They are looking to perform and deliver by playing their kind of football, winning in that familiar style of theirs and making sure that they go into the history books.

The Pharaohs are aware it’s going to be a tough final and they could be given a nasty shock if they underestimate Ghana. But the North Africans are too experienced to fall into this trap.

Shehata, like in every other match, has already outlined an appropriate game plan, which he will be exhibiting against the Black Stars this evening.

Youthful exuberance, fighting spirit and the ability to endure tough pressure may not be enough for Ghana to conquer the Pharaohs who have seen more than their fair share of high-octane matches.

If one team in the 2010 African Nations Cup has surprised many critics, it is Ghana. Plagued by injuries, absentees, and a foiled start against the Ivory Coast, the Black Stars have swum back ashore and about to dine at the lord’s table.

Egypt seem formidable, but Milovan Rajevac’s boys will not be looking them straight in the face and yielding out on the turf. Ghana will try to stick to their own gameplan and refuse to be enslaved by the Pharaohs’ strategy, which may lead to a final humiliation.

Nigeria take third place

Victor Nsofor scored the only goal early in the second half as Nigeria ended the African Nations Cup in third place after winning the battle of the losing semi-finalists against Algeria in Benguela.

The only goal came after 56 minutes when the Malaga striker was played in by Nwankwo Kanu in what was a low-key affair.

Under-fire Nigeria coach Shaibu Amodu made a host of changes heading into the game, leaving out the likes of John Obi Mikel, Obafemi Martins and Peter Odemwingie and handing Portsmouth striker Kanu a rare start.

Ends