Pharaohs are kings of Africa

• Africa Cup of Nations results round-up

A tournament that has sparkled with glittering goals was settled by one which sprang from a horrendous mistake by Cameroon captain Rigobert Song, who gifted Mohammed Abou Trika the 76th-minute winner.

The former Liverpool and West Ham defender dallied over clearing a routine ball over the top under pressure from Egypt substitute Mohamed Zidan.

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As the pair fell over each other in the Cameroon penalty area, Zidan snaked out a foot to steer the ball into the path of Abou Trika — 'The Magician' — who gleefully slotted it home.

Injuries were added to that insult for Cameroon, who lost Arsenal midfielder Alexandre Song to a thigh strain after only 16 minutes and were left with star striker Samuel Eto'o as little more than a passenger in the final minutes after he appeared to pull a hamstring.

Egypt, though, are deserved champions.

Two years after riding the passion of their homeland to snatch victory as hosts over the Ivory Coast in a penalty shootout, coach Hassan Shehata's side attacked this competition in Ghana with verve and a tempo that upset the more fancied teams from black Africa.

Whereas Cameroon created just one notable chance in the entire 90 minutes — four minutes from the end when Stephane Mbia finally forced a save from Egypt keeper Essam Al-Hadary — the Pharaohs spurned numerous opportunities to ensure that a nervous final 10 minutes could have been avoided.

In 90 degree heat in front of a capacity crowd that included Jose Mourinho, the Cameroon defence struggled to contain the vibrancy of Egypt's freeflowing attack.

Neither Song nor Newcastle's Geremi could provide the stability required.

Abdel Hosny's early freekick was easily held by Carlos Kameni, but the Cameroon keeper soon found himself extended to far more urgent action.

He parried away an awkward bouncing shot from Abou Trika before pulling off a fine reaction stop to deny Sayed Moawad in the 19th minute.

His finest stop came as he rushed out to the feet of Emad Meteeb eight minutes before half-time.

He pushed away another effort from Hosny early in the second half but could only watch as the midfielder hit a post with a diving header on the hour.

By contrast, Eto'o cut an isolated figure up front for Cameroon.

The Golden Boot he received as leading goalscorer in the tournament with five goals will be scant consolation.

In the end, the 99th goal of an exhilarating, colourful, month-long festival of football was due reward for Egyptian invention which earned them a record sixth triumph.