ERIC KIBALAMA
Seven-time winners Egypt take on hosts Cameroon in the second semi final at the Paul Biya Stadium in Olembe on Thursday evening.
Egypt will be seeking their first AFCON title since 2010 while Cameroon are seeking their sixth since their last triumph in 2017.
The Pharaohs marched into the semi finals after coming from a goal down to defeat the Atlas Lions of Morocco 2-1 in extra time in Yaounde.
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Mohamed Salah canceled Sofiane Boufal’s early penalty before setting up Mahmoud Trezeguet for the winner 10 minutes into extra time.
Cameroon overcame debutants Gambia in the quarter final thanks to two second half goals from Lyon’s Karl Toko Ekambi who took his tally to five goals.
Toko Ekambi together with his captain Vincent Aboubakar, who has six goals, have contributed to all the 11 goals the Indomitable Lions have managed this campaign.
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Egypt will have to negotiate their way past the Indomitable Lions without their experienced defender Ahmed Hegazi who ruptured the tendon of the muscle during their hard fought win in the semi final.
Collectively, seven Egyptian players have been injured in Cameroon. Others are goalkeepers Mohamed El-Shennawy and Mohamed Abou-Gabal Gabaski, Mahmoud Hamdy El-Wensh, Akram Tawfik, Ahmed Fetouh and Hamdi Fathi.
Coach Carlos Queiroz is expected to deploy Mohamed Abdelmoneim in defense as alongside Muhamoud Alaa or Ayman Ashraf.
Cameroon will be looking for a sixth Africa Cup Of Nations title, the last one being in 2017 in Gabon while Egypt last won it in 2010 in Angola and they came close to winning it again in 2017 but they were denied by Cameroon in the final as the Indomitable Lions won the encounter 2-1.
Gambian Papa Bacary Gassama will be the center referee for the clash.
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Last head to head meeting between Cameroon and Egypt at AFCON
2017 (Final)
Egypt 1-2 Cameroon (Libreville, Gabon)
2010 (Quarter Finals)
Egypt 3-1 Cameroon (Benguela, Angola)
2008 (Final)
Cameroon 0-1 Egypt (Accra, Ghana)
2008 (Group Stage)
Egypt 4-2 Cameroon (Kumasi, Ghana)
