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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