DIDIER DROGBA, the Chelsea and Ivory Coast forward, was the fall guy as his miss from the spot allowed Egypt to win the African Cup of Nations for a record fifth time after a penalty shoot-out last night. Almost 75,000 supporters in the Cairo International Stadium celebrated as the turmoil surrounding Mido’s fallout with Hassan Shehata, the coach of the host nation, during the semi-final victory over Senegal was forgotten.
The Tottenham Hotspur striker, banned from international football for six months for his furious reaction to being substituted, was forced to watch the final from the press box but took part in the lap of honour with his team-mates as the heat passed on to Drogba.
The Ivory Coast captain had been his country’s hero in the previous two rounds, converting the decisive penalty in the epic 12-11 shoot-out triumph over Cameroon and scoring the only goal in the semi-final defeat of Nigeria, but last night he missed the best chance of the game in the 76th minute when firing over the crossbar from six yards.
After Egypt had a goal disallowed seven minutes from the end of normal time, Ahmed Hassan, their captain, struck a penalty against a post four minutes into extra time. Drogba’s nerve failed in the shoot-out when his effort was saved by Essam Al Hadary. The Egypt goalkeeper also saved from Bakary Kone before Mohammed Aboutrika converted the tournament-clinching kick.
Advertisement
Mido was allowed to receive his winners’ medal and there were words of support from Martin Jol, his head coach at Tottenham. “The incident did surprise me, because I think I know Mido very well,” Jol said. “He has done well on and off the pitch.
“I know he’s an emotional guy, but you don’t need players to live on the edge and for most of his time with us he has shown a great mentality and been a winner. He has been no trouble at all for me since he came here.” Mido is due back in England today and will be in contention to play against Sunderland tomorrow.
EGYPT (4-4-2): E Al Hadari — M Abdelwahab, A El Saqqa, W Goma’a (sub: A Fathi, 21min), I Said (sub: A Ali, 111) — M Aboutrika, M Barakat, A Hassan, M Shawki — E Moteab (sub: H Mostafa, 81), A Zaki. Booked: A El Saqqa.
IVORY COAST (4-4-2): J-J Tizie — E Eboué, A Boka, K Touré, B Kossi Kouassi, — K Akale (sub: B Kalou, 60), E Fae, Y Touré (sub: B Kone, 91), D Zokora — D Drogba, A Kone. Booked: Akale, Blaise, Eboué, Drogba, Tizie.
Referee: M Daami (Tunisia).