Hosts Egypt resume their course for a record fifth African Cup of Nations title when they face Senegal in the semi-final match at the Cairo International Stadium on Tuesday. The Pharaohs are betting on some 74,000 of their fans to fill the Cairo Stadium and support their title bid as they have affluently did throughout the tournament so far. But that's not all what Egypt coach Hassan Shehata is banking on. Shehata will have striker Ahmed Hossam “Mido”, returning from injury, and playmaker Mohamed Abou-Treika, who served a one-match suspension, back in the line-up to provide a much-needed fire power up front. Despite confirmation that Mido is fit, whether he will start against Senegal remains up to Shehata who may opt to pair up Enppi forward Amr Zaki with Emad Meteb in the front line. Nevertheless, Mido is expected to play a part in Tuesday's encounter while Abou-Treika is guaranteed a place in the starting XI. Egypt's problem lies in the uncertainties surrounding the participation of veteran midfielder Ahmed Hassan who is nursing an injury.
Drogba Meanwhile, Senegal will almost certainly without skipper Ferdinand Coly through injury. Striker El-Hadji Diouf, who sat out the 3-2 quarter final win over Guinea, is set to participate in Tuesday's clash. Shehata's men will definitely face an uphill task against Senegal whose performances have been on the rise since the start of the tournament. In Alexandria, World Cup finalists Ivory Coast will be aiming to reach their first African final in over ten years when they take on Nigeria. The Super Eagles of Nigeria have an agenda of their own. Nigeria have failed to break the semi-final curse they have suffered during the past two African tournaments where they finished in third place on both occasions. The Ivorian team will be looking to Didier Drogba to lead the team to 2006 Egypt final after overcoming favorites Cameroon 12-11 in a penalty shootout (the highest-scoring in international football history).
