31 January 2010 - Egypt's Multi-Record Setting Goal

On 31 January 2010, Egypt won the Cup of Nations with a record nineteenth consecutive unbeaten match in the tournament, a streak that dates back to 2004.

The run of unbeaten games started in February 2004, when they played to a scoreless draw with Cameroon in the last group stage match (which was also Egypt's last match of that competition, as they failed to advance). And it continued through the 2006 and 2008 tournaments, both of which Egypt won (their fifth and sixth trophies overall).

Then, in 2010, they remained unbeaten to reach the final, where they faced Ghana. Played before a crowd of 50,000 at the Estádio 11 de Novembro in the Angolan capital of Luanda, the match remained scoreless until the 85th minute, when substitute midfielder Mohamed "Gedo" Nagy scored to put Egypt up 0-1. They held on to that margin to claim their record third consecutive Cup of Nations and seventh title overall.

In addition to being their nineteenth unbeaten match, it was also their record ninth consecutive win. The winning streak ended there, as Egypt drew with Mali in the group stage of the 2017 Cup of Nations, but they extended the unbeaten run to 24 before losing to Cameroon in the 2017 Cup of Nations Final. 

8 January 2010 - Togo Attacked

On 8 January 2010, gunmen fired upon two Togo team buses, killing 3 people and wounding 7 others.

The buses--one containing the national team and the other holding their luggage--were traveling through the Angolan province of Cabinda, where Togo were scheduled to begin their Africa Cup of Nations campaign three days later. Although part of Angola, Cabinda is an exclave, separated by the rest of the nation by the Republic of the Congo. Shortly after the team crossed the border separating the two, a group of Cabindan separatists ambushed the traveling party in a machine gun attack that lasted approximately 30 minutes.

Two different rebel groups later claimed responsibility for the attack, though one claimed that it was not directed at Togo, but instead at the Angolan security forces guarding them. The gunmen fired multiple shots into both buses, however, killing three people--assistant coach Amelete Abalo, press officer Stan Ocloo, and driver Mário Adjoua. The list of wounded included 5 players as well as the team doctor and physiotherapist.

Togo withdrew from the Cup of Nations following the attack, prompting a CAF ban and a $50,000 fine. Togo appealed the ban, which was lifted later that year.

31 January 2010 - A Multi-Record Setting Goal

On 31 January 2010, Egypt won the Africa Cup of Nations with a record nineteenth consecutive unbeaten match in the tournament, a streak that dates back to 2004.

The run of unbeaten games started in February 2004, when they played to a scoreless draw with Cameroon in the last group stage match (which was also Egypt's last match of that competition, as they failed to advance). And it continued through the 2006 and 2008 tournaments, both of which Egypt won (their fifth and sixth trophies overall).

Then, in 2010, they remained unbeaten to reach the final, where they faced Ghana. Played before a crowd of 50,000 at the Estádio 11 de Novembro in the Angolan capital of Luanda, the match remained scoreless until the 85th minute, when substitute midfielder Mohamed "Gedo" Nagy scored to put Egypt up 0-1. They held on to that margin to claim their record third consecutive Cup of Nations and seventh title overall.

In addition to being their nineteenth unbeaten match, it was also their record ninth consecutive win. Both streaks remain active as Egypt failed to qualify for the 2012 and 2013 tournaments.

8 January 2010 - Togo Attacked

On 8 January 2010, gunmen fired upon two Togo team buses, killing 3 people and wounding 7 others.

The buses--one containing the national team and the other holding their luggage--were traveling through the Angolan province of Cabinda, where Togo were scheduled to begin their Africa Cup of Nations campaign three days later. Although part of Angola, Cabinda is an exclave, separated by the rest of the nation by the Republic of the Congo. Shortly after the team crossed the border separating the two, a group of Cabindan separatists ambushed the traveling party in a machine gun attack that lasted approximately 30 minutes.

Two different rebel groups later claimed responsibility for the attack, though one claimed that it was not directed at Togo, but instead at the Angolan security forces guarding them. The gunmen fired multiple shots into both buses, however, killing three people--assistant coach Amelete Abalo, press officer Stan Ocloo, and driver Mário Adjoua. The list of wounded included 5 players as well as the team doctor and physiotherapist.

Togo withdrew from the Cup of Nations following the attack, prompting a CAF ban and a $50,000 fine. Togo appealed the ban, which was lifted later that year.