The African Cup of Nations is one of the best and most emotionally charged national team tournament in the footballing world. The controversial 2010 edition is down its last two teams as The Black Stars of Ghana will face 2-time defending champion, The Pharoahs of Egypt. Here is a preview of what will be a historic 2010 ACN Final.
VS. 
The 2010 ACN final features two of the most decorated nations in tournament history, Egypt has 6 titles while Ghana is tied with Cameroon with for the second most titles with 4 each. Egypt & Ghana have appeared in the most finals with being Sunday’s final being the 8th time each side has been in the final match. However it is the first time they will face each other in the final. The two sides have played each other twice in previous ACN tournaments. Ghana holds the edge with a 1-0 win in the group stage of the 1992 tourney and a 1-1 draw in the 1970 tournament.
EGYPT
The Pharaohs are seeking to raise the ACN trophy for the 3rd consecutive time. Their elimination from the World Cup has made this tournament their Holy Grail. Their focus on winning their 7th ACN trophy is apparent as they have been dominant allowing only 2 goals in the 5 matches leading up to the final. The Pharaohs have scored at least 2 goals in that same span including a 4-0 destruction in a revenge game against Algeria in the semis.
Despite missing big names like Mohamed Aboutrika and Mido, Egypt continues to play an attractive attacking style typical of African football. Coach Hassan Shehata has overseen a record-breaking Egypt side that are unbeaten in their last 18 African Cup of Nations matches. The attacking trio of Gedo, Ahmad Hassan, and Emad Moteab have been a nightmare for opposing defenses. Anchored in central defense by El-Ahly and national team veteran Wael Gomaa, the defense has been stellar.
GHANA
The Black Stars offer a completely different style to their finals opponent, Ghana has been winning by playing a more disciplined, defensive, grinding style tailored by Serbian coach Milovan Rajevac. Ghana’s athletic, physical style was exposed in their first match of the tournament when Côte d’Ivoire beat them 3-1. Since that match, the Black Stars have shut everyone out. No goals allowed as they have grinded out 1-0 victories over Burkina Faso, Angola, and Nigeria to reach the final. Hoffenheim’s 21-year old central defender Isaac Vorsah has been a revelation for the Ghanian defense in this tournament.
Offensively, Stade Rennais striker Asamoah Gyan has scored 3 of the team’s 4 total goals including the game winners in the quarters versus Angola and in the semis against Nigeria. Gyan and André Ayew are the men up top that will spark the Black Stars’ offense.
PREDICTION:
The Pharaohs are on a mission after their surprise elimination by Algeria from the World Cup. Egypt is playing at such a high level with fantastic team cohesion that Ghana will have to be perfect to win. Côte d’Ivoire provided the blueprint on how to unlock Ghana’s tight defense and Egypt’s players have the skill and motivation to follow the blueprint and execute it effectively. Ghana’s lack of offense will be easily stifled by The Pharoahs solid defense. Egypt wins a 3rd consecutive title and 7th overall with an impressive 3-0 scoreline.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Semifinals
Egypt 4 – 0 Algeria
Ghana 1 – 0 Nigeria
OTHER NEWS:
3RD PLACE MATCH
Nigeria 1 – 0 Algeria
NGA: Victor Obinna (55′)
The CAF has ruled that the Togo football team will be banned from the next 2 African Cup of Nations tournaments as punishment for their withdrawal from the 2010 tournament. Togo pulled out of this year’s tournament after their bus was sprayed with gun fire tragically killing 3 people 3 days before their opening match against Ghana. The CAF says that the decision was not based on the team’s withdrawal from the tournament but from the Togolese government’s involvement in ordering the team to return back to Togo.
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