Egypt U20 coach Rabie Yassine has admitted that they were outplayed by Ghana in the final of the Africa U20 Championship even though the Young Pharaohs won the title.
The Young Pharaohs defeated heavyweights Ghana 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 draw on Saturday to clinch the title with a 100 percent record.
The Egyptians brushed aside all their opponents in the tournament in Algeria, conceding just two goals in the process.
All the two goals they conceded in the tournament were against Ghana who were without all their key Europe-based players because their clubs refused to release them.
In doing so, coach Rabie Yassine sacrificed an attractive brand of football for a more pragmatic approach, with Egypt often dangerous in set pieces and crosses more than defence-splitting passes or individual efforts.
Five out of the seven goals Egypt scored came through dead-ball situations or headers from crosses, highlighting an efficiency that helped the team win two matches in which they were not really superior.
Egypt clinched a last-gasp 2-1 victory over Ghana in the tournament's opener after being outplayed for much of the game and salvaged a 1-1 draw against the same opposition after surviving several scares in the finale.
Yassine admits that the Black Satellites were the better team when the two sides met in the final of the competition on Saturday.
"We have a big team. The tactical aspects and high fitness levels were crucial in helping us claim that win," Yassine said in a television interview after Egypt won their fourth African Championship title.
"See for example how my team played against Ghana (in the final) although our opponents had the better possession. Look at how we defended when we lost the ball."
Egypt and Ghana will play at the U20 World Cup to be hosted by Turkey in June.