Egypt and South Africa, ignoring the old cliche that African teams are enjoyable to watch but tactically naive, believe that today's Nations' Cup final in Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso will be a battle of wits.

Defending champions South Africa reached the final thanks to single goal wins in both their quarter-final and semi-finals while the revitalised Egyptians have conceded only one goal in five games.

Although the competition's two top scorers will be in action - Egypt's Hossam Hassan and South Africa's Benedict McCarthy have seven each - neither side appears willing to take the initiative.

"Egypt and South Africa will be a true tactical game," said South Africa coach Jomo Sono. "It will be like chess, waiting for the other one to make a mistake and punish it. You know, like a cat and a mouse are waiting for each other."