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Luanda — None of Egypt's three successive triumphs in the last African Nations Cup titles have been convincing but the Pharaohs still emerged as continual champions for a record seventh time.

The 1-0 win over Ghana in the 2010 final in Luanda on Sunday makes this Egyptian team the most successful of all time, but they toiled in vain for much of the match at the November 11th stadium before scoring a winner five minutes from the end of the game.

Super substitute Mohamed Nagui grabbed a stunning winner, from a tight angle, almost out of nowhere in a rare attack from the defending champions, whose three back-to-back triumphs is a first ever in the history of a major international tournament.

Nagui's goal was his fifth of the finals, making him the leading scorer in the tournament despite the fact he did not start a single game in Angola.

He played a quick one-two with Mohamed Zidan to deliver the killer blow at a time when Egypt looked to be tiring and Ghana's youthful side were on the ascendency.

Sydney Mahlangu/Backpagepix

But that has been the hallmark of the Egyptian side, who needed penalties to overcome Cote d'Ivoire in the 2006 final at home in Cairo and also snatched a late winner to beat Cameroon in Accra two years ago.

Ghana had looked the more dangerous although both teams were restricted in the main to long-range shots in their bids to find the net.

Ahmed Hassan tried several shots for Egypt but did not find his range, while Asamoah Gyan came much closer for Ghana.

Egypt looked particularly frustrated as they failed to find the tempo and rhythm which had been such an important part of their run to the final, in which they scored 14 goals in five games.

But there were half-chances for Emad Moteab and Mohamed Zidan in the second half - squandered because of a poor first touch.

Ghana's young side might have snatched an improbable win had Asamoah Gyan been more accurate with his shooting but their application at the back was commendable again, even if Egypt were able to break their defences right at the end.

Hassan Shehata hailed his side as the best ever in the history of African football, as many of the key players now contemplate the end of their careers.

But Ghana, who unlike the Egyptians will be going to the World Cup later this year, can draw much heart from their final performance, and indeed their showing in earlier matches, as they prepared to travel to South Africa.

They played without many key stars and coach Milovan Rajevac now has a difficult, but satisfying, selection dilemma.