Saturday 4 February 2017

Can Pharaohs cage the Lions in Gabon?












Can Pharaohs caged Lions in Gabon on Sunday in the African cup of Nations final? That is definitely the question on the lips of soccer fans across the continent.
The Egyptians, proud seven time winners of the continental diadem are seeking their eight victory while their Cameroonian counterparts with four titles in the kitty are hoping to win their fifth title and by so doing be in a class of their own as they are at the moment tied with Ghana at four trophies in the kitty, one ahead of Nigeria that failed to get a place in Gabon.
 The Pharaohs have not managed to qualify for the event for over three editions, and it is interesting that in all the years of their absence no country has managed to catch up with their 7-time winning record.
The Lions on the other hand were even surprise qualifiers after facing a lot of player withdrawals managing to qualify for first final since 2008 and going in the running for the title since 2002.
 Edging out Ghana in the semifinal was a warning that the Lions have not come to make the numbers and are determined to feature as defending champions when they host the championship in 2019.
 But will they find an easy prey in the Pharaohs who some say have since forgotten what it means to win the trophy after years of absence.
 The team will no doubt be relying on their tested and trusted goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary, the oldest man ever to play in the tournament at 44.
 His super performance in the semifinals against Burkina Fasso   will definitely ring bell in the minds of the Lions who perhaps should be playing to avoid penalty situation which may favour El-Hadary, but that is not to take anything away impressive Lions goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa.
Though considered inexperienced considering that he has not been playing regularly prior to the championship, he has so far given a good account of himself and has this courage to go the extra mile.
Should the Pharaohs emerge champs they would have succeeded in increasing their winning tally and so other African countries will have to continue the chase to meet up with them, and should the Lions emerge victorious, they would have increased their own tally and will have the likes of Ghana with four wins, Nigeria with three wins, Ivory Coast and DR Congo with two wins each doing the catch up game against Cameroon and Egypt respectively.
Whatever happens on Super Sunday night, the fact remains that Africa and indeed the world will see breath taking encounter that will be full of fireworks and whoever emerges champion will be getting it not on a platter but through hard work. May the best team win!

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