After fears the stadium may only be three-quarters full at Ohene Djan for tonight's Cup of Nations final the host city came out in force.

While kick-off remained notoriously under-attended by half-time a festive, if dispassionate majority of neutrals had made their way into the ground.

Cameroon had barely a small pocket of fans and created little noise for their team, while Egypt's bevy of fans failed to produce the consistent raucous noise other sides at these championships had offered.

At kick-off a lone Reading banner flew briefly in the crowd in memory of Andre Bikey, but soon disappeared from view.

The finale came on the hottest day in Accra since the start of the tournament, with the open sewers in the streets evaporating into the air and emitting an unpleasant odour visitors had largely been spared until now.

Referee Codjia Koffi of Benin must have thought the crowd had come to watch him tonight, his petulant display ranging from hurrying up the Egypt pre-match huddle with an impatient blow of the whistle, to arrogant thrusts and gestures whenever free-kicks or cards were awarded.

There was some irony in Cameroon coach Otto Pfister berating Koffi for not consulting his watch when the clock was wound-down by the Egyptian team - at least this time the crowd was shown how much stoppage remained by the fourth official.

But fortunately Koffi and his assistants failed to steal the show, as Egypt's raw passion and emotion both after Mohamed Aboutreika's winning goal and upon receiving the trophy was a perfect celebration.

Of course, the Confederation of African Football had to play spoiler, an irate woman chastising Egyptian players for their impromptu dancing alongside drummers in the post-match ceremony because it may interfere with official proceedings.

It was a typically regimented and over-officiated way to end the tournament on CAF's behalf, in an event where the outside world, feeding largely off television coverage and the BBC, would have no idea what a shambles it was behind the scenes.

And behind the scenes the Egyptians seemed tired and partied out, even snubbing their arabic-speaking media who had followed them from day one as players, coaches and cup dashed to the team bus.

With the exception of the odd word in French, Cameroon was much the same - with Otto Pfister's grin one of sickness tonight than superiority.

Still, the tournament ended on a high note - the best team won and deserved to win - and regardless of what had gone before, nobody can begrude Egypt its moment of victory in Ghana.

True glory goes to its loyal legions of travelling fans - one big group and the odd small huddle singing, celebrating and cheering for their team.

Jubilant Cameroon coach Otto Pfister could not help but criticise Ghana's assumptive media as he left Ohene Djan Stadium tonight.

Casually striding the press area in jeans, Pfister talked the talk after his Indomitable Lions walked the walk with a 1-0 win to eliminate host Ghana.

Pfister claimed his side was not shown respect by Ghana's adoring media contingent.

"They said the Ghana team was the best in the world!" Pfister said.

"But you have to play football before you win the cup.

"I always show my opponents respect.

"There was too much pressure on [Ghana's] boys."

Pfister said the hero-status of Michael Essien in particular would have had mental ramifications in the Black Stars' camp.

"If everybody always says Essien is a champion then one day he believes it.

"If you always say to a boy 'this is batman, this is batman' then he believes it.

"I see the television stations always saying 'we are the champion' before the game."

Pfister said his team had played normally and followed his tactics perfectly.

"I think we played slower today and showed good fitness," he said.

Man-of-the-match Alex Song played in central midfield and was in for special praise from his coach.

"Alexandre Song, the way he plays is amazing," Pfister said.

"For me he is a wonder."