Egypt Oust Ivory Coast to Reach AFCON Semifinal

Egypt knocked defending champions Ivory Coast out of the Africa Cup of Nations with a 3-2 win in the quarter-finals on Saturday.

In Agadir, a thrilling last-eight tie saw Omar Marmoush and Ramy Rabia net in the first half for the Pharaohs before an own goal by Ahmed Aboul-Fetouh brought the Ivorians back into it. Salah then got Egypt’s third early in the second half, and they held on after Guela Doue again reduced the deficit.

Egypt will face Senegal in the semis on Wednesday in Tangiers.

“I want to thank the players immensely. They are true Egyptians who fight for the happiness of their people,” said coach Hossam Hassan.

Ivory Coast became the eighth consecutive titleholder to fail to defend the title since Egypt achieved the feat in 2010.

Egypt, meanwhile, confirmed their AFCON dominance over the Ivory Coast since they first met 56 years ago. The Pharaohs have now won 11 times and the Elephants just once.

Egypt Oust Ivory Coast to Reach AFCON Semifinal. AFP

Salah has helped Liverpool win the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Champions League and Club World Cup, in its previous format, but the most prized African medal has eluded him.

The 33-year-old has twice been a runner-up after losing the AFCON final to Cameroon in 2017 and to Senegal five years later. He was also in Egyptian teams that twice made unexpected last-16 exits.

Now he is two matches away from realising his long-time dream of helping Egypt win the AFCON a record-extending eighth time.

Salah arrived in Morocco for the premier African sporting event amid uncertainty over his future at Liverpool after a post-match outburst following a draw at Leeds United.

But he has been at his predatory best at the AFCON, scoring winners against Zimbabwe and South Africa in the group stage, then the goal that sealed a last-16 victory over Benin. Saturday’s strike was his fourth of the tournament.

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Tope Oke

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