Egypt emerge as Afcon contenders

GHANA and Senegal were the favourites at the African Cup of Nations finals but as the group stage came to a conclusion, Egypt emerged from a slow start to show their character as potential champions.

Egypt have played at more finals and won more matches and titles than any other country, but have been conspicuous by their absence in the last seven years.

The Pharaohs followed three successive titles from 2006 with as many failures to qualify as their fortunes slumped dramatically, fuelled by the political and social unrest following the Arab Spring.

The lengthy absence was evident as they looked nervous and over-cautious in their opening fixture in Gabon, but after a goalless draw with Mali in Port-Gentil, they improved dramatically to win their next two matches.

A 1-0 victory over Ghana on Wednesday night confirmed the Egyptians as winners of Group D, booking a quarterfinal meeting with North African rivals Morocco.

Former Cameroon coach Volker Finke, who is attending the tournament in Gabon, said: “The Egyptians try to play a combination game while other teams are, after a second or third pass, trying to take a long shot or make a long pass in the hope of winning the second ball.”

As the finals head into the knockout stage, six of the remaining eight sides are previous African champions.

Only Burkina Faso and Senegal, both previously runners-up, have never lifted the trophy – but the Senegalese will believe they have their best chance to emerge victorious in more than a decade.

With Liverpool forward Sadio Mane providing the inspiration, Senegal have looked devastating at times.

A total of six goals saw them advance comfortably from Group A, with two early wins allowing them to rest all but one of their regular starters ahead of the 2-2 draw against Algeria. – Reuters