Few people, including Egyptians, gave Egypt much chance of winning the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon. Due to two political revolutions, the country had failed to qualify for the past three editions. Two domestic football seasons were cancelled and when football returned, safety precautions meant games without spectators. But Egypt has returned in dramatic fashion, reaching the final, to be played Sunday 5 February, against Cameroun, at the Stade d› Amitie in the Gabonese capital of Libreville. The record seven-time title holders Egypt had beaten Burkina Faso on penalties in the first semi-final on Wednesday 1 February while Cameroun managed to defeat Ghana 2-0 in the other semi-final on Thursday. Third and fourth place will be held at Port-Gentil between the losers of the two semi-final matches, Burkina Faso and Ghana. To reach the final, the Pharaohs beat Burkina Faso in a dramatic and epic final semi-final that saw both teams drawing 1-1 after regulation and extra time. In the penalty shootout, Egypt won 4-3 after veteran goalkeeper Essam Al-Hadari blocked two penalties. Egypt's Mohamed Salah of Rome opened the score in the second half but minutes later, the Egyptians lead was cancelled out by Aristide Bance. It was the first goal conceded by Al-Hadari in 653 minutes at the Cup of Nations going back to 2010, an ACN record, as is his age, 44. Abdullah Al-Said missed Egypt›s first penalty in the shoot-out but Al-Hadari kept the Pharaohs in it when he saved from opposing goalkeeper Herve Koffi, then denied Traroe in the last kick. In the other semi-final, Cameroun defeated Ghana 2-0 to win the second berth in Sunday›s final. A Camerounian free kick ended Ghana›s dream to reach the finals, meet the Egyptians and avenge their first-round loss after Ghana›s goalie Razak Brimah failed to deal with a free kick into his area. John Boye›s weak defensive header merely served as an assist for Ngadeu to control and fire home. Bassogog then broke away to clinch the win and spark wild celebrations as Hugo Broos' side progress to the final. It will be the Camerounians first final at the Africa Cup of Nations since they lost 1-0 to the Pharaohs in the 2008 edition held in Ghana. Then, they had also beaten Ghana in the semi-final. It has been a remarkable journey for the Pharaohs at the 31st edition of the Africa Cup of Nations. The team had gone to Gabon with modest hopes of delivering a decent performance and just trying to progress in the competition in which they had missed the last three editions. There were no promises from EFA officials, technical staff or the players to win the title. It was simply beyond anyone›s imagination that Egypt would ever make it beyond the group stage. African officials, coaches, teams, local and international media never imagined such an impressive comeback by the Pharaohs in the tournament after a seven-year absence. But the Pharaohs emerged from being unseeded to favourites. And here they are, ready for their record-extending eighth title which would include three wins in a row starting in 2006. The Pharaohs are now determined to claim the title. Head coach Hector Cuper and his assistant analyst Mahmoud Fayez were keen to travel from Libreville to Franceville to watch the Cameroun-Ghana semi-final. With seven injured players, and the loss of star forward Kahraba following a second bookable offense, the Pharaohs are in a critical situation and are looking for capable replacements. The medical staff is doing their best on Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Al-Nenni, Mohamed Abdel-Shafei and Ahmed Hassan Kouka. The Argentinean Cuper is himself facing a tough challenge. This is his first participation at the Africa Cup of Nations. Moreover, his record in finals is not good. At the helm of Mallorca, the team reached the final of the Cup Winners Cup where they lost to Lazio. With Valencia he lost the final of the Champions League two consecutive times; in 2000 and 2001. While the Egyptians are concerned by such a record, they hope that Egypt will finally untie Cuper›s knot.
