News
Soccerex to put SA on world map
06 October - The imminent hosting of the 2010 Fifa World Cup™ in South Africa has opened many doors for South Africa, one of them being Soccerex, the biggest football-focused exhibition in the world.
Referees set sights on 2010 World Cup
02 October - Qualifying is already well underway for teams looking to book their place at the 2010 Fifa World Cup South Africa™, but it is not just players and coaches of the various countries who are looking ahead to 2010. The world's top referees also have their sights set on South Africa.
2010 plans to be piloted during PSL match
01 October - Saturday’s Premier Soccer League clash between Orlando Pirates and Santos at Ellis Park Stadium will be used to pilot Park and Ride facilities in preparation for the 2010 Fifa World Cup™, the department of transport said on Tuesday.
Transport Month highlights 2010 progress
30 September - Preparations to welcome thousands of fans to South Africa for the 2010 Fifa World Cup™ spectacular are at an advanced stage at OR Tambo International Airport.
Government: Politics won’t affect World Cup
29 September - The unfolding changes in the Executive of the Republic of South Africa will not have any negative impact on preparations for the 2010 Fifa World Cup™.
‘Adopt a Nation’ campaign to galvanise kids
29 September - The Local Organising Committee South Africa has invited millions of school children to be part of 2010 Fifa World Cup™. The “Adopt a Nation” school programme was launched at the Nasrec Sports Precinct in Johannesburg on Saturday.
New SA president pledges best World Cup
26 September - President-elect of the Republic of South Africa, Kgalema Motlanthe, says the government remains committed to all the promises it made to Fifa and the international football community to deliver the best 2010 Fifa World Cup™.
Klerksdorp city banks on 2010 spinoffs
25 September - The City of Matlosana is ready to benefit from South Africa’s hosting of the 2010 Fifa World Cup™ with sponsorships and football development programmes already in place.
Zakumi: 2010 Fifa World Cup Official Mascot launched
22 September - Zakumi, the Official 2010 Fifa World Cup South Africa™ Mascot, has made his first ever public appearance at a media launch at SABC’s Auckland Park studios in Johannesburg.
2010 World Cup Mascot launch on Monday
19 September - The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) – official broadcast partner of the 2010 Fifa World Cup™ – will on Monday unveil the long awaited Official Mascot of the 2010 Fifa World Cup. The launch will be broadcast live on SABC1.
11 February 2008
Egypt conquer Africa - again
Mark GleesonAccra - The Pharaohs of Egypt have made history by being the first ever side to win two back-to-back African Cup of Nation (Afcon) titles. Egypt beat Cameroon 1-0 in the final of the biennial tournament played in Accra on Sunday night.
Cameroon who came into the game without their stern defender Andre Bikey, who picked up a silly red card in the semifinal match against Ghana, looked the promising side during the opening minutes of the game.
The continent's biggest sporting event came to a successful close at the Ohene Djan stadium as Egypt won a second successive title with a 1-0 win over their long-time rivals.
A goal 13 minutes from time from Mohamed Abou Trika settled the trophy in favour of The Pharaohs, who extended their record number of wins in the continental championships to six.
Abou Trika's goal came after some persistent play from Mohamed Zidan, who had a virtually wrestling match with Cameroon captain Rigobert Song to supply a square pass that the man of the match calmly side footed home.
Zidan caught the ageing central defender with his pace, effectively robbing him of the ball Abou Trika has made a habit of netting winning goals. Two years ago he converted the decisive kick in the penalty shootout that saw Egypt edge out Cote d'Ivoire and he was also the scorer of the goal that won the 2006 African Champions League title for his Cairo club Al Ahli.
On the balance of play, Egypt had the better chances and it was only the talent of Cameroon goalkeeper Idriss Carlos Kameni that kept the score down to just a single goal.
Kameni pulled off some heart-stopping stops to ensure the Indomitable Lions remained in the battle throughout a tense 90 minutes.
But he was fortunate to see a diving header from Hosni Abd Rabou bounce back off the goal post just after the hour mark.
Cameroon were finally galvanised after the goal and a jittery Egypt defence opened a window of opportunity in the last 10 minutes, but Essam Al Hadari made two saves and then Song went wide with his last-gasp header.
The Nations Cup title has only been defended successfully on two previous occasions. Egypt did it in 1959 and Cameroon in 2004.
Meanwhile, there was some compensation for disappointed home fans at the Afcon finals in Ghana when the home team came from behind to win Saturday's third place play-off match.
The Black Stars, who had their hopes of home success shattered with defeat in Thursday's semifinal against Cameroon, came from a goal down at half-time to beat their neighbours Cote d'Ivoire 4-2 in Kumasi.
Three unanswered goals in the last 20 minutes restored Ghanaian pride, particularly as a star-studded Ivorian side that included former African Footballer of the Year Didier Drogba.
A Sulley Muntari free kick after 10 minutes had the Black Stars in the lead as they played a full strength side against a makeshift Ivorian team, who handed a chance for game time at the tournament to several squad players.
The Ivorians fought back with two goals from German-based striker Boubacar Sanogo, the first in the 24th minute and the second eight minutes later at the end of a goalmouth melee.
But Ghana fought back and were level in the 70th minute when substitute Quincy Owusu Abeyie went on a mazy run past a possee of defenders and netted his first goal at full international level.
Then a clever interchange of passes set Ghana striker Junior Agogo away and he scored 10 minutes from the end to put the hosts into a 3-2 lead.
Debutant Ivorian goalkeeper Tiasse Kone was then beaten by a vicious bounce from Haminu Dramani's shot in the 85th minute.
The Ivorians looked a dispirited side in the second stanza, having conceded four goals for a second successive match.
They had also lost 4-1 to Egypt in their semifinal tie last Thursday.
- Additional reporting by SA2010 reporter
Mark Gleeson is a soccer journalist and television analyst