By Steve Vickers
Aboutrika scored after a mistake by Cameroon captain Rigobert Song
The only goal of the game came in the 77th minute when Mohamed Aboutrika pushed home a Mohamed Zidan pass after a mistake by Cameroon's Rigobert Song.
The Pharaohs also went close when Hosni Abd Rabou hit the post on 61 minutes and they become the first side to win back-to-back titles twice.
Cameroon were seeking a fifth title, but rarely troubled the Pharaohs.
It was a triumph for Egypt coach Hassan Shehata who becomes only the second coach to win successive trophies.
His team had much the better of the first half, creating most of the scoring chances with their speed and mobility.
Once again Cameroon based their game on physical power, taking a defensive approach that supplied few openings to lone striker Samuel Eto'o.
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Aboutrika came close on 13 minutes, with a 35-yard shot that was pushed around the post by Cameroon goalkeeper Carlos Kameni.
Two minutes later the Indomitable Lions were forced to make a substitution, with Gilles Binya replacing Alexandre Song, who was carrying an injury from the previous game.
Cameroon defender Geremi forced a save from Essam Al-Hadari from a free-kick, but the Pharaohs almost took the lead seconds later.
Hadari's clearance found Emad Moteab, whose 15-yard shot was parried brilliantly by Kameni, but into the path of Aboutrika, whose shot was too high.
Nine minutes before half-time a ball over the Cameroon defence found Moteab inside the area, Kameni made a fine save from the shot, and it remained goalless.
Cameroon came back from the break with purpose, causing the tempo of the match to increase considerably, but Egypt quickly took control of the game again.
Kameni had to make two more fine saves, from a close-range Amr Zaki shot, then from Abd-Rabou's 25-yard cracker that he punched away.
Gilles Binya (left) and Mohamed Said in action in Sunday's final
The Pharaohs continued to pile on pressure, and Abd-Rabou hit the post with a header on 61 minutes.
With 13 minutes remaining, Egypt finally got the goal they deserved.
Cameroon captain Rigobert Song was punished for untidy defending, losing a tussle with substitute Zidan.
Zidan pushed the ball along the edge of the box into the path of Aboutrika, who had a simple finish from 15 yards.
As Egypt celebrated, Song covered his face with his shirt, knowing that he should have cleared the ball away.
Song headed over the bar in stoppage-time, but there was to be no redemption for the defender, in his seventh Nations Cup.
Egypt won the first two editions of the tournament, in 1957 and 1959, but with the competition far more intense now, these victories have far greater significance.
Shehata's feat of two Cups in a row matched that of Ghana's CK Gyamfi, who won the tournament in 1963 and 1965.
Aboutrika's goal was the 99th of the tournament, which produced more goals than any other Nations Cup.
Cameroon: Kameni, Tchato, Song, Atouba, Emana (Idrissou 56), Song Billong (Binya 16), Mbia, Epalle (M'Bami 65), Geremi, Nkong, Eto'o.
Subs Not Used: Hamidou, Mbarga, Angbwa, Essola, Makoun, N'Guemo, Tomou, Job.
Booked: Atouba, Idrissou.
Egypt: El Hadari, Mohamed, Hany Said, Gomaa, Moawad, Fathi, Hassan, Abd Rabou, Aboutriaka (Ibrahim Said 89), Moteab (Zidan 60), Zaki (Shawky 84).
Subs Not Used: Abdel Monssef, Sobhy, El Saeed, Fathallah, Gamal, Mostafa, Shaaban, El Mohamady, Fadl.
Booked: Hassan.
Goals: Aboutriaka 77.
Ref: Coffi Codja (Benin)
Att: 35,500
L'équipe d'Égypte de football remporte la Coupe d'Afrique des nations de football pour la six fois de son histoire, après une victoire 1-0 face à l'équipe du Cameroun de football au Ohene Djan Stadium au Ghana.

Mohamed Aboutreika a inscrit le seul but de la partie à la 77 minute, son 34 but en sélection.

La victoire de l'Égypte met fin à la 26 édition de la Coupe qui avait débuté le 20 janvier 2008 et a été accueillie par le Ghana. L'équipe du Ghana de football obtient la troisième place, l'équipe de Côte d'Ivoire de football arrivant en quatrième position.

Le camerounais et joueur du FC Barcelone Samuel Eto'o est le meilleur buteur du tournoi, avec cinq réalisations.