ACCRA, GHANA – FEBRUARY 10: The winners’ trophy is carried on to the pitch after the AFCON Final match between Cameroon and Egypt at the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra, Ghana. (Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Egypt to Face Cameroon in 2017 Africa Cup of Nations Final

This Sunday is the final of the Africa Cup of Nations. This year’s exciting, but under-watched tournament comes to its conclusion when the competition’s two most successful sides meet in Gabon. Egypt, with seven championships, will go for eight against Cameroon who has lifted this trophy four times before. It will be a rematch of the 2008 and 1986 final, in which Egypt was victorious on both occasions

Too often, the Africa Cup of Nations is seen more as an annoyance to many of Europe’s top club teams and fans. The competition routinely takes its fair share of big names away from teams around Europe, leading many to unfairly criticize the tournament. For those who watch, however, it can often be a thrilling event, one of the games hidden treasures. In 2015, the Ivory Coast defeated Ghana in a remarkable penalty shootout that even saw the keepers get a turn.

On Sunday, two of the tournament’s historic giants will go head to head. Egypt has been in this position before. They were the inaugural winners back in 1957, and have been to the final eight times, winning seven. The Pharaohs have been in a bit of a dry spell, however. They’ve struggled over the past three tournaments. Their last appearance in the final was in 2010 when they completed their hat trick, winning their third consecutive Africa Cup Of Nations.

This year’s Egypt side is lead by Roma’s Mohammed Salah. The pacy winger has scored twice for Egypt, including an important goal in the semifinal against Burkina Faso. They also feature one of the tournament’s best defenses. Egypt has only allowed one goal in their five matches, so far.

About Harrison Prolic

Northern Illinois graduate with a degree in Journalism. Full-time page designer in Madison, Wisconsin. Part time follower of all things German soccer. I tweet about the Bundesliga and plenty of other sports @hprolic.

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