Pharaohs and Lions of Teranga

Mohamed Salah scored the equaliser and created the winner to inspire Egypt’s comeback on Sunday to beat Morocco 2-1 after extra-time and reach the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals.

Egypt fell behind to an early penalty won by Achraf Hakimi and converted by Sofiane Boufal in the seventh minute.

However, Salah reacted to knock in a rebound to make it 1-1 in the 53rd minute and then sent in a perfect low cross for Aston Villa winger Trezeguet to tap in near the end of the first half of extra-time.

Egypt was left to rely on third-choice goalkeeper Mohamed Sobhy for most of extra time after an injury to Mohamed Abou Gabal, who was already in the team in place of No 1 Mohamed el-Shenawy.

Egypt held on though to make it through to face hosts Cameroon in the semi-finals, which is a repeat of the 2017 final that was won by Cameroon.

Egypt have not won the Africa Cup of Nations since its record-extending seventh title in 2010, with Salah making his debut for the national team the year after that triumph, although the Liverpool forward is still searching for a first major title with his country.

In the other quarter final game of the day, Senegal saw off the threat of giant-killers Equatorial Guinea and won 3-1 in their Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final on Sunday to advance to the final four of the tournament in Cameroon.

Famara Diedhiou opened the scoring for Senegal, who then conceded a surprise equaliser to Jannick Buyla, only for substitutes Cheikhou Kouyate and Ismaila Sarr to come on and restore Senegal’s lead and put the result beyond doubt.

Pharaohs and Lions of Teranga

Senegal, one of the pre-tournament favourites, have booked a semi-final meeting with Burkina Faso on Wednesday.

Twenty-four teams have taken part, kicking off on January 9 as hosts Cameroon opened up with Burkina Faso in Yaounde, and the final will takeplace this Sunday on 6th February 2021.