Fourteen-days before the African Cup of Nations, SEE explores details of Egypt’s history during the AFCON since it began in 1957. This tournament is considered the third biggest football event in the world after FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Champions League.
The 2019 AFCON is set to take place in Egypt from 21 June 19 July. The hosts will play the opening match against Zimbabwe on 21 June at Cairo Stadium.
Here is Egypt’s history in the AFCON:
Sudan 1957
Egypt became the first nation ever to win this prominent event. This tournament was held for the first time in its history in Sudan in 1957 with only three teams participating; Sudan, Egypt, and Ethiopia. Egypt managed to beat Sudan in the opening match 2-1, then the Pharaohs crushed Ethiopia, with unanswered four goals in the final, to win their first title.
Egypt 1959
The second AFCON, which happens once every two years, was held in Egypt with only three teams participating; Sudan, Egypt, and Ethiopia. The pharaohs managed to scoop the title for the second time in a row. They demolish Ethiopia with unanswered four goals in the opening match, and later managed to achieve their second title after defeating Sudan 2-1.
Egypt 1986
After almost three decades without winning the third biggest event in the world, the Pharaohs came back again to achieve their favorite championship in the 1986 AFCON held in Egypt. They won their third title after holding a goalless draw with Cameroon and managing to win the dramatic penalty shootout 5-4.
Burkina Faso 1998
Twelve years later, Egypt achieved its fourth title in 1998 in Burkina Faso. They claimed the title after beating South Africa with unanswered two goals scored by Ahmed Hassan and Tarek Mustafa.
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Egypt National Team in 1998[/caption]
Egypt 2006, Ghana 2008, Angola 2010
Egypt hosted the 2006 African Cup of Nations which marked the rise of Hassan Shehata’s golden generation. This generation won the title for three consecutive times. Hassan Shehata’s men achieved the pharaohs’ fifth title at Cairo stadium after holding a goalless draw with Ivory Coast and winning the dramatic penalty shootout with 4-2. Essam El-Hadary was the hero of this penalty shootout as he saved two penalties.
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Egypt lifted the title in AFCON 2006[/caption]
In 2008, they won their sixth title after displaying a glorious show throughout the tournament. The Pharaohs claim the title in Ghana after defeating Cameroon with unanswered one goal when Abou-Treika scored the goal after Mohamed Zidan took advantage of the mistake made by Cameroon defender Rigobert Song.
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Mohamed Zidan, and Rigobert Song in the 2008 AFCON final[/caption]
Egypt set a new record in the 2010 tournament, hosted by Angola, after they claimed their consecutive title in unprecedented achievement in Africa. The Pharaohs won the seventh title when Mohamed Nagi Gedo, who was the tournament top scorer; he gave Egypt the lead after scoring a goal against Ghana.
Egypt became the first African team to win three consecutive cups.
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Gedo after scoring his remarkable goal against Ghana[/caption]
It is worth mentioning that Egypt was so close to achieve their eighth title when Koper’s men managed to advance to the final in the 2017 AFCON, held in Gabon, but they failed after being defeated by Cameroon 2-1 in the final game.
https://youtu.be/P-WFGC0qgOk
Egypt's History in AFCON
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