Egypt won a record fifth African Nations Cup title after defeating Côte d’Ivoire 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out on Friday.
Côte d’Ivoire’s Didier Drogba and Bakary Kone had their penalties saved, while Mohamed Aboutrika scored the winner for the host team, sending more than 74 000 fans in Cairo International Stadium into a frenzy.
The teams played extra time to try to break the deadlock after a goalless draw in regulation time.
Both teams traded attacks during the match, and Egyptian captain Ahmed Hassan missed a penalty. Drogba had a chance to secure the match for his country in the 77th minute, but he shot high instead of slotting the ball into an empty net.
Ahmed Hassan, Mohamed Abdulwahab, Amr Zaki and Abutraika scored for Egypt in the shoot-out, while Abdulhalim Ali missed. For Côte d’Ivoire, Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue scored.
Egypt was playing without Tottenham striker Mido, who was banned from the team for six months for dissent. Mido sat in the media tribune to watch the match, but joined his teammates during the penalty shoot-out.
Egypt lost Wael Gomaa, the side’s stand-out defender, who limped off with an injury in the 22nd minute.
Côte d’Ivoire, looking for their second continental title after their triumph in Senegal in 1992, could have finished the game off, but Drogba missed the best chance of the match.
Tunisian referee Mourad Daami awarded a controversial penalty to the host in the 95th minute after Mohamed Barakat tumbled to the ground. Television replays showed minimal contact.
The Elephants protested feverishly and minor scuffles broke out between the sides, including the substitute benches.
Captain Hassan, voted player of the tournament, stepped up but his shot hit the post and was cleared by the defence.
Egypt appeared to score in the 84th minute, but the goal was disallowed for a foul by Amr Zaki on Côte d’Ivoire goalkeeper Jean-Jacques Tizie.
The match was attended by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. — Sapa-AP