First things first: the best team won. Many, including myself, dismissed Egypt's chances of defending their crown because of a ropey qualifying campaign and because they lost a number of important players from their 2006 squad. But the Pharaohs showed that their domestic league continues to cultivate quality footballers.
Morocco, Senegal and South Africa completed their African Cup of Nations preparations with 2-1 victories in friendly matches on Wednesday. South Africa needed a late goal from striker Sibusiso Zuma to squeeze past Botswana in Durban but captain Aaron Mokoena was carried off on a stretcher after a bad tackle.
