Hosts Egypt capped a historic tournament by being crowned Champions of the 2019 Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations, defeating Cote d’Ivoire 2-1 after extra time at the Cairo International Stadium on Friday evening.
The feat is the young Pharaohs’ first title in the third edition of the tournament that also served as African Qualifiers for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Karim El Iraky scored for Egypt after 37 minutes, before Aboubakar Doumbia equalized a minute from time. But skipper Ramadan Sobhi won the match for Egypt in the 116th minute.
The Olympic Pharaohs sailed to the title in style, having won their fifth game in as many matches.
Skipper Ramadan Sobhi found his way past his marker from the left side, to send a calling cross that El Iraky responded to with a scorcher to give Egypt a lead they maintained till the halftime.
After the break, the Ivoirians threw everything in attack, and had to wait to the last minute to grab the equalizer. Substitute Abubakar Doumbia who had barely been on the pitch for a minute received a cross to score past Mohamed Sobhi and send the game to extra time.
In the extra time, both teams had their chances, before Egypt’s talisman Sobhi won it for the hosts. Substitute Ahmed Rayan weaved past his marker to send a shot that was rebounded from Cote d’Ivoire’s keeper Elizeir Tape, and Sobhi was the fastest to the ball to score the winner.
Egypt joined the list of Gabon (2011) and Nigeria (2015) in the list of honour of the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations.
Watch highlights:
🎥 Highlights:
The video you've been all waiting for. #TotalAFCONU23 FINAL! 🔥@EFA @Pharaohs @FIFCI_tweet pic.twitter.com/bLazx9TkH4
— CAF (@CAF_Online) November 22, 2019
Total Man of the Match: Ramadan Sobhi (Egypt)
Best Goalkeeper of the tournament: Mohamed Sobhi (Egypt)
Top Scorer: Mostafa Mohamed (Egypt)
Best Player of the tournament: Ramadan Sobhi (Egypt)
Fair Play Award: Egypt
