Egypt are through to the Africa Cup of Nations 2021 semi-finals thanks to Liverpool striker Mo Salah, who took Morocco apart in a pulsating clash at the Stade Omnisport.
The Pharaohs came from behind to beat their neighbours 2-1 as Salah scored one and made another to book Egypt’s place in the semis.
The 2022 World Cup is on the agenda in South and North America, but in Africa it’s about the here and now, as one proud nation will lift the Africa Cup of Nations in just seven days time. Here at SBOTOPwe’ll be covering all the action and previewing the semi-finals, but for now Egypt can celebrate.
The North African rivals dealt blow for blow in the 90 minutes, and it was Morocco who drew the first blood when Achraf Hakimi was tripped on the right side of the penalty area. Sofiane Boufal stepped up and fired the perfect penalty high into the top right corner and just inside the post.
Egypt were level early in the second half when a header from Mohamed Abdelmonem was saved and Salah was on hand to poke in the rebound.
With the scores level at 90 minutes and an extra 30 to play, Salah took control, beating his man with a superb run and putting the ball on a plate for Trezeguet to win the game.
The man of the match will return to Liverpool, next week, where the Reds’ title hopes are still alive, but for now he has more work to do in Africa.
Cameroon coasting…so far
The Indomitable Lions have looked the best attacking outfit in the competition up to now, scoring quite freely, and they have made it through to the last four in some comfort.
Lyon striker Carl Toko Ekambi scored twice as Cameroon beat Gambia 2-0 to book their place in the semis. The French-born forward has now scored five in the tournament and is hot on the heels of his captain Vincent Aboubakar, who has six.
Gambia defended bravely in the first half, but in a devastating seven-minute spell, Toko Ekambi blew them away with a clinical double strike. He scored his first with a well-placed header and then, on 57 minutes, he ghosted in behind the Gambian defence to slam home the second.
The Lions stormed through Group A with seven points, three ahead of second placed Burkina Faso and they scored twice in each of their knockout games. They have the momentum and the firepower to go all the way and the latest Africa Cup of Nations 2021 betting oddssay it’s their trophy to lose.
Underdogs Burkina Faso love playing Tunisia
A 1-0 win over Tunisia has taken Burkina Faso through to the semis, where they will meet either Senegal or Equatorial Guinea, just one step away from the final.
The Stallions took their place in the last four at the expense of Tunisia, the nation they have knocked out three times in five tournaments. Their opponents entered the Roumde Adja Stadium as favourites, having beaten highly fancied Nigeria in the last round, even though they had several players missing through Covid.
Burkina Faso caught Tunisia cold, in first-half injury time, when teenage striker Dango Ouattara finished off a fast break, and though the Eagles of Carthage pressed hard for an equaliser, Kaumu Malo’s battlers held on to take their semi-final place. Ouattara will miss the next game, though, as he was red carded late in the game for an elbow on Ali Maaloul.
Goals at a premium
Only 12 of the 47 games so far have yielded over 2.50 goals and none of the three opening quarter-finals breached that benchmark.
Only five times has a team scored three or more in these 47 games and four of the nations who enjoyed a relative goal fest are out. Ivory Coast, Comoros, Tunisia and Nigeria have all said their goodbyes and Cameroon is the last one standing, having put four past Ethiopia in a 4-1 win, with Ekambi and Aboubakar both scoring a brace.
The hosts are one of the few sides who haven’t struggled for goals and while Egypt have ground out their wins so far, a more expansive performance against Morocco and the form of Salah is cause for optimism. Cameroon vs Egypt is bubbling up to be a fascinating clash and it’s not one to miss.
So with three of the semi-finalAfrica Cup of Nations 2021 results in we await the result of Senegal vs Equatorial Guinea who meet on Sunday night for the right to face Burkina Faso. Another Liverpool hitman, Sadio Mane will be on show and will aim to emulate his club mate.
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