A late goal from striker Amr Zaki gave Egypt a 2-1 win over Senegal on Tuesday and put the hosts on course to a record fifth African Cup of Nations title. Captain Ahmed Hassan put Egypt in front from the penalty spot in the 36th minute before Mamadou Niang leveled the score with a 51st minute header. Substitute Zaki dealt the final blow to Senegal in the 81st minute, two minutes after coming in for Tottenham striker Ahmed Hossam "Mido" who indulged in heated word exchange with coach Hassan Shehata upon his substitution. Cameroonian referee Divine Evehe made a controversial call when he denied Senegal a clear penalty-kick after Kamara was brought down in the Egyptian area by defender Ibrahim Saied in the dying seconds of the game. The result set up a rematch between Egypt and Group A contenders Ivory Coast in the final on Friday. Senegal will face Nigeria in the third place playoff at the Military Academy Stadium on Thursday. Egypt were awarded a penalty when Senegal defender Amdy Faye intercepted Mido's left side cross to Mohamed Barakat with his hand in the box. Hassan stepped up to put the Egyptians in front from a twice taken spot-kick.
Hassan had to seperate Mido and Shehata Senegal regrouped after the interval and put the Egyptian defense under pressure. Mohamed Abou-Treika came close from doubling Egypt's lead in the 50th minute when he unleashed a curling long ball that crashed on to the far post. Egypt were made to pay for their missed chance when Diomansy Kamara surged down the right flank and sent a brilliant cross to Niang who out-jumped Abdul-Zaher Al-Saqqa to head home past keeper Essam Al-Hadari. Winger Mohamed Abdul-Wahab nearly grabbed the initiative for the Pharaohs in the 62nd minute when he received Barakat's corner-kick at the edge of the Senegal area and fired a fierce drive that shaved the far post. Abdul-Wahab made up for his squandered chance by clearing Kamara's effort before it crossed the goal line. In the 78th minute, Mido took center stage with a despicable argument with Shehata as he was being substituted. Team captain Hossam Hassan had to separate Shehata and Mido amid jeers from the Egyptian crowd calling on the Tottenham striker to "go out"! Shehata's substitution proved justified when Zaki scored on his first touch. The Enppi striker towered to meet Abou-Treika's left-side cross and buried home a header past goalkeeper Tony Sylva with nine minutes left to play. Egypt's win more important than Shehata, Mido row, says Abou-Zeid
