Ahmed Hassan believes that Egypt have proven they are the best team
on the continent over the course of the African Nations Cup, but he
is keen to apply the final touches with victory over Ghana in
Sunday's final in Luanda.
The defending champions, who will be bidding for their
seventh title and third on the trot, have delivered another telling
display in Angola, winning all five games so far with a total of 14
goals scored and just two conceded.
They will now be heavy favourites against an inexperienced
Ghanaian team missing more than five of their regular players, most
notably Michael Essien.
Speaking after they trounced eight-man Algeria to reach the
final - a game that was seen as a grudge match after they were
pipped by their north African rivals for a World Cup spot - the
captain seemed convinced his side can now close off the 27th
edition of the tournament win with another win.
"Regardless of who we met, we showed that we are the best in
Africa," Hassan said. "We won the last two competitions and have
again excelled here.
"We were not after revenge at all. We just proved that we are
the dominant force in the continent. Good luck to Algeria in the
World Cup.
"We should return home with the trophy now and we will do our
best to achieve that aim."
However, Hassan Shehata's men may be hampered by injuries to
key players after key defender Wael Gomaa and Emad Moteab both
picked up knocks in the semi-final.
Although the former is expected to play, the latter looks
almost certain to miss out along with Mahmoud Fathalla, who is
suspended.
"He (Moteab) picked up a hamstring injury and he's likely to
miss the final," assistant coach Hamada Sedki confirmed.
"There is not enough time between the semi-finals and the
final, so his chance to be fit for the game is slim."
For Ghana not to have any injury worries would seem almost
abnormal at this year's competition.
The Black Stars are sweating heavily over the fitness of
goalkeeper Richard Kingson, who has a groin problem.
The Wigan goalkeeper was named man-of-the-match for his
display in the 1-0 semi-final win over Nigeria and is doubtful
along with Agyeman Opoku and Hans Sarpei, both of whom were
substituted in the game against their west African rivals.
"Richard has had to skip a couple of training sessions
because of the injury," coach Milovan Rajevac said. "He is in
hospital today (Friday) to have tests and treatment, but I'm
hopeful he will be able to play on Sunday."
It will be a first appearance in the final after an 18 year
absence for the four-time former winners.
However, their last title came in 1982 when only five of the
current squad members were born.
After a slow start to the tournament in which they lost 3-1
to Ivory Coast in the opening game, they have gradually grown with
three consecutive 1-0 victories over Burkina Faso, Angola and the
Nigerians helping them seal a place in the championship game.
Rajevac added: "We came here to compete and not to play
entertaining football. The most important thing is the results."
