January 11, (THEWILL) — Egypt booked their place in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals after holding off a spirited fightback from defending champions Ivory Coast to claim a 3-2 victory in the quarter-final. The Pharaohs will now face Senegal in the last four.
The match began at a frantic pace, with Egypt opening the scoring inside four minutes.
Emam Ashour won possession in the middle of the park before releasing Omar Marmoush, who kept his composure to fire a low effort beyond goalkeeper Yahia Fofana.
Egypt extended their lead just after the half-hour mark when Rami Rabia met Mohamed Salah’s corner from the right, heading the ball back across goal and into the near post.
Ivory Coast pulled one back eight minutes later through an unfortunate own goal, with Ahmed Abou El Fotouh turning a free-kick into his own net under pressure.
Egypt restored their two-goal advantage early in the second half when Salah beat his marker to meet Ashour’s delivery, guiding the ball past Fofana with a clinical first-time finish.
The holders reduced the deficit once more when Mohamed El Shenawy parried Ibrahim Sangare’s header from an Amad Diallo corner, only for Doue to react quickest and turn the rebound over the line.
Despite mounting late pressure, Ivory Coast could not find the equaliser needed to force extra time.
Egypt’s victory ends the title defence of the Ivory Coast and sets up a semi-final clash with Senegal, with the Pharaohs seeking their first continental trophy since 2010.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
