Egypt wins African Cup in shootout

Drogba's misses help ruin Ivory Coast's chance at major upset

	Egyptian soccer players celebrate after defeating Ivory Coast in the final of the African Nations Cup on Friday. Egypt won 4-2 on penalties.
Tara Todras-whitehill / Reuters

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updated 4:24 p.m. ET Feb. 10, 2006

CAIRO, Egypt - Egypt won the African Cup of Nations for a record fifth time, beating Ivory Coast 4-2 on penalty kicks Friday night following a 0-0 tie.

Mohamed Aboutrika converted the winning penalty kick after Egypt goalkeeper Essam Al Hadari stopped Ivory Coast star Didier Drogba and Bakary Kone during the shootout.

“This tournament belongs to the Egyptian fans. It was not one single player who won this. It was a joint effort,” Pharaohs forward Hossam Hassan said after being hugged by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and lifting the trophy.

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Drogba, a leading player for Chelsea in England, missed an open goal in the 77th minute during a rough game in which players scuffled and disputed calls by Tunisian referee Mourad Daami.

“Of course it’s disappointing for us ... but we are a strong team and are going to the World Cup,” Ivory Coast’s Abdoulaye Meite said. “With penalties you always know it’s heads or tails.”

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Egypt had a chance to go ahead in overtime, but captain Ahmed Hassan penalty kick went off a post.

The Pharaohs also won the title in 1957, 1959, 1986 and 1998.

Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o was the top scorer in the three-week tournament with five goals.

Ivory Coast is preparing for the World Cup. Africa’s other World Cup qualifiers stumbled, with Angola, Ghana and Togo eliminated in the first round and Tunisia losing in the quarterfinals.