Egypt 1, Ghana 0: Post Mortem on a Poof of History

Are we so used to Egypt’s African dominance that we can’t see history? More likely, we don’t care.

Regardless, Egypt’s 1-0 victory Sunday over Ghana made the nation the first to win three consecutive Cup of Nations titles. An 85th minute goal from Gedo – the tournament’s leading scorer, despite never starting a match – expended Egypt’s CAN unbeaten streak to 19 matches.

Their last loss was the second match of group play in 2004, a 2-1 defeat to Algeria.

Aside from a few Ghanaian chances on goal in the first half, Egypt never look apt to have their streak snapped on Sunday. Ghana midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah continued his coming-out party, but with a Black Star control that waned from its heights after the opening kick-off, a Pharaoh goal seemed like a matter of time.

History informed that feeling. Egypt came into this tournament wounded from their failure to qualify for South Africa, but with an opening match onslaught on Nigeria, there reemerged the feeling that Egypt just knows how to navigate the Cup of Nations.

That feeling fueled Sunday’s air of inevitability. When Mohamed Nagy (Gedo) was brought off the bench in the 70th minute, that was the final beat in the plot’s build-up. Soon, he had combined with Mohamed Zidan to produce the match’s only goal.

For Ghana, it was the first goal they had allowed since their opening match of the tournament, a 3-1, group stage loss to Côte d’Ivoire. Their three following matches (Burkina Faso, Angola, Nigeria) were 1-0 victories, with Gedo’s goal snapping Richard Kingson’s 355 minute scoreless streak.

Egypt had the best defense Ghana had faced in the tournament (two goals allowed in six matches). The Black Stars never exhibited the king of creativity needed to break down the holders. It is debatable whether a full squad would have been able to beat the Pharaohs. Needing something remarkable from Asamoah Gyan for a goal, they merely got a good match from their star striker.

That hints at the criticism many may have of Egypt’s third title. This tournament was lackluster. Ghana’s ability to advance while playing an experimental squad can be seen as testament to the tournament’s lack of quality. In a World Cup year, the talented nations were already focusing on June (though we saw little evidence of this from any team beyond Ghana).

If that’s the inclination, consider Sunday part of the bigger picture: the three titles in a row, 19-match unbeaten streak picture. The pure probabilities of going unbeaten nineteen matches in a row over three tournaments hints at the Egyptians’ quality. Average teams find a way to trip-up. Egypt did not.

In time, the likes of Asamoah, Samuel Inkoom, Isaac Vorsah and Andre Ayew may prove this Ghana team better than current perceptions, which are still favorable. But Egypt’s legacy night have been helped had Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, or Nigeria had better tournaments.

Perhaps that is why this history-making win went off with little celebration. There was not the definitive moment – the image of the conqueror we can emblazon in our memories.

But Sunday was history nonetheless. If it the first three-peat for an African team, only the third time it has happened amongst any confederation (Argentina, 1945-1947, México 1993-1998).

If Sunday’s win was relatively unremarkable, look at it in historical context. Egypt made history on the pitch at Luanda, cementing themselves as a side that should remembered.