Egypt’s AFCON Legacy: Pharaohs Eye Eighth Title In Ivory Coast
One of the most highly anticipated sporting competitions in Africa, known as the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), kicked off today with the Ivory Coast and Guinea-Bissau battling it out on the field. Along with the many teams vying for the coveted trophy, one always stands out as the ultimate All-star of the competition: Egypt.
So far, the Egyptian national team has proven to be a major powerhouse in AFCON, having been crowned Africa’s champion seven times, making it the most successful team in the tournament’s history. This year, it’s hitting the pitch once again, with its first match set to take place on Sunday, January 14, against Mozambique.
A Step Back In Time
Egypt’s successful AFCON journey started all the way back during the inaugural edition of AFCON in 1957 when the Pharaohs secured their first title by defeating Ethiopia 4-0 in the finals. Just two years later, they claimed the winning title once again in the second edition of the tournament, where they were the hosts of the competition.
Their third victory also occurred while playing on their home soil back in 1986, and they clinched their fourth title in 1998. What followed that was a “golden era” for Egyptian sports. In the span of four years, Egypt won three more trophies during the consecutive AFCON competitions held in 2006, 2008, and 2010.
Unfortunately, the team’s winning streak came to a halt after 2010. In the latest edition of AFCON, in the grand final, the team led by Mohamed Salah lost the game in a penalty shoot-out against Sadio Mané’s Senegal.
That is why, today, the Pharaohs have their eyes set on reclaiming the winning title during the new edition of AFCON that’s going to be held in the Ivory Coast from January 13 to February 11.
