Egypt sees off the Host Cameroon in Nations Cup Semi's.
It wasn't a much entertaining night in the game of football, as we saw the Host Nation faced the pharoah's of Egypt in the semi finals of the African Cup Of Nation.
Cameroon dominated the first half, however Salah had the first shot on goal. Mostafa Marmoush set him up, but his effort curled just wide of the far post.
Cameroon, on the other hand, had the greatest chances of the half, with Ngadeu-Ngadjui having two spectacular chances in rapid succession. A precise corner was delivered by Moumi Ngamaleu, but it was glanced onto the crossbar by the defender. He and Vincent Aboubakar both tried for the rebound, but the ball was sent wide.
Ngadeu-Ngadjui also came close to scoring from the second corner, but he couldn't guide Andre-Frank Anguissa's flick on goalwards. Abou Gabal, who had been doubtful for the game due to injury, had to make two crucial stops. In the first, he deflected Anguissa's cross away from Vincent Aboubakar, before collecting Karl Toko Ekambi's shot with ease.
At halftime, Egypt manager Queiroz introduced Trezeguet, like he had done in the quarterfinal against Morocco, and the Aston Villa midfielder won a free kick nearly immediately. Mohamed nodded in the direction of the goal, but it was intercepted by Andre Onana.
Once again, the Cameroonian goalie was called upon to prevent Salah from scoring in an open goal. Salah was well ahead of his opponent when Martin Hongla's weak delivery fell into his path. Onana, on the other hand, dashed out to meet him, and as Salah attempted to send the ball around the goalkeeper, the Cameroonian's sliding challenge deflected the ball away for a throw-in.
The tournament hosts had chances as well, with the second half slowing down as the game progressed. Abou Gabal was barely behind Ekambi to scoop up the ball as he flicked in a free kick at the near post. Then, in midfield, Samuel Gouet tried his luck with a powerful effort that went wide.
With Queiroz's dismissal, the regular period came to a close in spectacular way. He had been bothering the officials since the beginning of the game, but his first yellow card was only given in the 87th minute.
But, less than three minutes later, Queiroz was given a red card, and he was forced to return to the dressing room, missing the rest of the game. Queiroz's helper received a booking in the final minute of normal time.
Even without their manager, Egypt had the best opportunities in extra time. Salah's attempt from the top of the box went wide, before Mohamed tried to find Trezeguet at the back post with a clever play. Although Harold Moukoudi was present to clear the field, the offside flag was also hoisted. Ramadan Sobhi fired an attractive pass through the six-yard box in one of the last acts of the 30 minutes, but none of the three other Egypt players stretching for it could turn it in.
Egypt had been preparing for penalties for a while, having replaced a distressed Mohamed Sherif with Zizo after only 13 minutes on the pitch, and the switch paid off when the latter netted the Pharaohs' first penalty.
Cameroon had taken the lead when Aboubakar converted the first penalty of the shootout, but it would be the last penalty the hosts would score. Abou Gabal stopped Moukoudi's and James Lea Siliki's penalties, respectively, before N'Jie slashed his spot wide to send Egypt to the final on Sunday.
On Sunday at 7 p.m., Egypt will face Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations final, which will be shown live on Sky Sports. Cameroon, meanwhile, will play Burkina Faso in the third-place play-off on Saturday at 4 p.m.