African Cup of Nations final: Egypt 0 Ivory Coast 0 (aet, Egypt win 4-2 on pens) Egypt became the first country to claim five African Cup of Nations wins last night when they defeated the Ivory Coast in a dramatic penalty shoot-out, during which Didier Drogba and Bakary Kone missed their spot kicks.
The game itself failed to live up to expectations, finishing goalless after 120 tense and error-filled minutes, but it was the host team which held their nerve in front of 75,000 screaming fans in the Cairo International stadium.
Drogba, so often the Ivory Coast's inspiration, did not enjoy a happy evening. The Chelsea striker had already squandered a gilt-edged chance to put the Elephants in front towards the end of normal time when he missed his team's first spot kick, Essam El-Hadary saving expertly to his right.
The Al-Ahly goalkeeper produced a second athletic stop from Nice forward Kone, before Egypt midfielder Mohamed Abou Treka's penalty sealed a 4-2 triumph and sparked wild celebrations.
Legendary striker Hossam Hassan was given the honour of accepting the trophy, even though he did not get onto the pitch, and the 39-year-old was full of emotion after pocketing his third winners' medal.
"My life stopped during the penalty shoot-out, and its only just restarting now," Hassan said as a spectacular firework display lit up the Cairo sky.
Even Mido, who played no part after being suspended for six months, was allowed to join in the celebrations, exchanging kisses with president Hosni Mubarak as he was presented with his medal.
The Tottenham star disgraced himself by arguing childishly with his coach during the semi-final, but was given an almighty ovation by his adoring public and seems unlikely to remain in the international wilderness for longer than necessary.
The Ivory Coast, meanwhile, struggled to accept the defeat gracefully, with midfielder Emerse Fae launching an attack on the tournament organisers, as well as the referee, Mourad Daami, who awarded Egypt a imaginary penalty that Ahmed Hassan failed to convert.
"It's a pity when you see the referee make such decisions and I'm very angry tonight," said the Nantes player. "It took us a whole hour to get to the stadium because the police were deliberately blocking our route. I don't mind losing fairly, but this way it hurts."
The Egyptian people are unlikely to let Fae's gripes get in the way of their celebrations. The tournament has captured the public's imagination ever since their opening-day win over Libya, and the immense support they offered throughout the three weeks undoubtedly gave Hassan Shehata's team an edge.
Yesterday the immense bowl-shaped stadium was already full to bursting four hours before kick-off as the hordes of red-clad fans heeded warnings from the authorities that any latecomers would be locked out.
When Egypt beat Cameroon to win the title 20 years ago, an estimated 100,000 crammed into the national stadium, a record for a Cup of Nations final. And though the capacity has since been reduced, it seemed certain that more people than the official figure had found their way in.
The noise levels gradually increased, aided considerably by the sound of several thousand inflatable batons thudding against one another, and the players were greeted by a deafening crescendo when they entered the pitch.
Neither side seemed prepared to take risks once the action got under way. Kolo Toure sliced the only chance of the first half wide from a corner.
The Ivory Coast slowly improved and Egypt ultimately seemed happy to play for penalties.
The lively Bakary Kone twice stung El-Hadary's hands with long-range shots after coming off the bench before, on 77 minutes, Arouna Kone rolled the ball into Drogba's path. The home fans held their breath and somehow Drogba spooned over from six yards.
Host nations are notoriously hard to beat in the Cup of Nations, with 11 of the 25 winners now clinching the title on home soil. Tunisia prevailed in front of their fans two years ago amid angry claims that they had received favourable refereeing decisions, and the same tag has dogged Egypt this time.
It was therefore surprising to hear that Tunisian referee Daami, who was banned six years ago for trying to influence the referee of the African Champions League final, had been handed this showpiece game.
Daami was enjoying a sound game until the fourth minute of extra-time, but his decision to award a penalty for Blaise Kouassi's foul on Mohamed Barakat was inexplicable, and the Ivory Coast's prolonged complaints were understandable.
Justice was done when Hassan's penalty bounced out off the post. But the Besiktas playmaker, bizarrely named player of the tournament at half-time, redeemed himself by scoring in the shoot-out.
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