Egypt triumph cushions World Cup blow
Reuters - Monday 01 February 2010, 09:52
LUANDA - Egypt's record third successive
African Nations Cup triumph underlined how much of a blow
missing out on the 2010 World Cup finals is to the country.
Egypt enhanced their reputation as one of the continent's
best sides by winning the title for a record seventh time after
a 10- victory over Ghana in Sunday's final in Angola.
But for all their mastery at the Nations Cup, Egypt have
consistently failed to qualify for world soccer's showcase
event.
Egypt's last appearance at the World Cup came in 1990 in
Italy.
Their most recent qualifying flop came in November when
they were beaten 1-0 in a play-off by Algeria to miss out on
this year's finals in South Africa.
Their World Cup failure contrasted starkly with their
dominance in the Nations Cup which led to coach Hassan Shehata
calling his side the greatest ever in African football after
Sunday's victory.
When asked about the World Cup disappointment Shehata gave
only a shrug of the shoulders.
Egypt's success in Angola, however, did have something of a
World Cup feel to it.
They thumped Algeria 4-0 in the semi-final in Benguela and
beat three other World Cup-bound teams - Ghana, Cameroon and
Nigeria - en route to the title.
"This makes our success even better because it was the most
difficult competition for us, having to beat four teams who
have qualified for the World Cup," assistant coach Shawki
Gharib said.
Earlier in the tournament captain Ahjmed Hassan, again
named player of the tournament, insisted winning three African
titles was a better achievement than going to the World Cup.
"It is true to say that every player dreams of playing at
the Word Cup but I think three Nations Cup titles is better
than the World Cup, where you probably play three games and go
home," he told Reuters.