Flashback: Egypt defeat Ghana to win 2010 AFCON

Exactly 10-years ago today, the Pharaoh’s of Egypt defeated Ghana’s Blacks Stars by 1-0 to win the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola to win their 7th African title.

Serbian coach Milovan Rajevac selected a young Ghanaian side for the tournament, promoting some of the 2009 World Cup winners into the Senior team. The Black Stars were without their top stars like Sulley Muntari and Stephen Appiah whiles Essien had to struggle throughout the tournament with injuries.

Ghana sealed qualification from the Group stages with Ivory Coast as Togo pulled out of the competition following a shooting incident which left two people dead. It was a one-goal campaign for the Black Stars who knocked out hosts, Angola and Nigeria with just a goal on the journey to the final.

The final game Sunday 31st January 2010 begun with Ghana having the best of chances in the opening minutes misplaced by Asamoah Gyan.

The Pharoahs were unable to penetrate into Ghana’s box with Isaac Vorsah being authoritative in defense. The Egyptians had to shoot from behind the box on a few occasions but they all went past the post.

The first half was very tight and absorbing with nothing to show for, at the end of the first 45 minutes. However, Ghana came close to breaking the spell of the game when Asamoah Gyan had two excellent chances at goal.

With barely 15 minutes to end the game, Gyan picked up a pass and unleashed a nice curler past over El Hadary in the Egypt post. Ghana later earned a dangerous free-kick which was beautifully converted by Gyan, again this time smashing the post.

Kwadwo Asamoah nearly scored a screamer for 30 yards when Opoku Agyemang set him up with a wonderful pass.

Ghana’s wasted efforts did not go unpunished as the tournaments best substitute, Mohammed Gedo came on in the second half and broke into Ghana’s difficult defense with a delightful one-two pass with Mohamed Zidan. The Egyptian forward found space for himself and slotted the ball past Richard Kingson into the nets.

Ghana was later desperate to restore parity as Kwadwo Asamoah came close to scoring, same as defender Eric Addo.

The Egyptians celebrated wildly after the referee sent out the final whistle to end the tournament.

Mohammed Gedo was awarded the tournament’s top scorer with six goals, all scored as a substitute. Asamoah Gyan scored all three goals recorded by Ghana at the tournament.

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