The junior Pharaohs have been crowned 2003 African Nations Cup football champions. Abeer Anwar reports on a group of teenagers who came up big Egypt's Emad Meteab rose to the occasion one last time in Burkina Faso, scoring the crucial extra-time decider in the final of the under-20 African Youth Championship to beat the Ivory Coast 4-3. Ougadougou's Fourth of August Stadium must now be considered Egypt's favourite sports venue in Africa following the senior team's 1998 African Nations Cup triumph in the same arena. The Burkinabe spectators were cheering relentlessly for the young Egyptians, given the current political climate between Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast. They became an integral part in firing up the players to give the final their all. In the first half, the game could not have kicked off better for the Egyptians, as they enjoyed the support of a hefty crowd that stayed on to cheer the Pharaohs after the local Burkinabes had lost the third place match to Mali 5-4 in a dramatic penalty shoot-out. Ahmed Said sent in Egypt's first cross in of the day to find a well-placed Meteab, who headed past Ivorian keeper Techi Yeboah, setting the crowd and the Egyptian bench on fire. The Egyptian rush lasted for just five minutes though, when Ivorian winger Christian Romaric let loose with a curling free kick that deflected off the Egyptian wall, pacing the ball too fast for Sherif Ekrami who got a hand to it before ramming into the post himself. Meteab let loose with a long-range effort right after the goal but the ball sailed high. Romaric was at it again on 22 minutes, sending yet another free kick powerfully towards the Egyptian goal. The ball rammed off the cross bar and easily fell into the path of an unmarked Yaya Toure who found no trouble poking the ball into the empty net. A string of attacks finally paid off for Egypt when a long Hosni Abd-Rabbo ball found Meteab inside the Ivorian box. Meteab had time only to control the ball before Da Costa hacked him to the ground, with the Tunisian ref not hesitating to point to the spot. Ismaili's Ahmed Fathi converted, equalising for Egypt. With almost 10 minutes till the end of the half, the Egyptian picked up the pace again and organised a right side fast break that found Mohamed Abdel-Wahab who sent a curling low cross in with Abd-Rabbo sending a first-time shot to give Egypt a one-goal lead for the second time. But the Ivorians again pulled their socks up and, unfazed, managed to score a final gasp equaliser following some drab Egyptian defending and tidy passing between Romaric and Sika. After six goals in the first half, the second half settled down to more tactical play and became more typical of a tense major tournament final. Both sides were clearly wary after having thoroughly discovered each other's capabilities. Shots on goal were severely minimised with almost everybody playing one-on- one. Meteab could have ended it for Egypt in the final 15 minutes of the half when he was awarded two golden opportunities, but he managed to squander both which comprised two clear runs with only the keeper to beat. A full 90 minutes were brought to a close with both teams deadlocked at three goals apiece. The previous match for third place had also ended in a 1-1 draw but due to limited TV air time, Burkina Faso and Mali had to resort to penalties. This was not the case in the final as the teams tightened their shoe laces for another 30 minutes of play. In extra time, once again both sides proceeded to play some dodgy soccer with constant build-ups and tough physical play. The Egyptians were finally dealt their winning break when left back Morsi sent in a deep through pass that curled behind the Ivorian defenders and found a very alert Meteab, who took a nick at the ball, beating the advancing Yeboah for Egypt's fourth and final goal of the game on 98 minutes. Egypt coach Hassan Shehata was on the line instantly, ordering his players to focus on defence, which was exactly what they did, redeeming their first half defensive blunders with some top-notch defending, shutting out the Ivorians, who swarmed around Ekrami's box but failed to get a decent shot through. The game's final whistle came much to the joy of the attending Burkinabe crowd, estimated at 20,000 supporters. Amir Megahed, Egypt's captain, lifted the trophy handed to him by CAF President Eissa Hayatou and Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore. After the match, President Hosni Mubarak sent his congratulations. Before the final, Ekrami, Megahed and Ahmed Said were chosen to the African all-star team. Meteab missed out but was honoured just the same for being the tournament's top scorer with five goals. Egypt also collected the Fair Play Cup and Egyptian Essam Abdel-Fattah was named the tournament's best referee and would have handled the final had Egypt not been involved. "We made a big effort. The players were excellent in following all the instructions," Hassan Shehata, the team's coach, said. "It was a long journey but I am happy to have won in the end and qualify for the junior World Cup. It is a great achievement that the Egyptians have longed for after the failure of the national team." Having proven themselves despite their short spell together, the U-20 side will now have to carry the hopes of Egyptians even further as they take their sound, tactical game to the United Arab Emirates for the Youth World Cup in March.
