Two goals from Zamalek striker Amr Zaki and some heroics from goalkeeper Essam Al-Hadari sent defending champions Egypt to the final of the African Cup of Nations after a 4-1 drubbing of Ivory Coast on Thursday. Tournament favorites Ivory Coast, who crushed all their opponents en route to the semi-final, were not able to overcome the curse of the Pharaohs who have not lost to Ivory Coast in the African finals since 1990. Despite beating Egypt twice in the 2006 World Cup qualifiers, the Elephants lost twice to the Pharaohs in the 2006 edition in the group stage and final game. Ahmed Fathi netted Egypt's goal in the 13th minute when a corner-kick was cleared into his path. Zaki doubled the lead in the 62nd minute but Kader Keita reduced the deficit almost immediately. Zaki put the game out of reach for the Ivorians when he scored the third in the 67th minute before Mohamed Abou-Treika sealed the win in injury time. Fathi cracked a shot from the edge of the area and his effort was deflected by Didier Zokora into his own net to open the scoring. Egypt had some chances on goal through Fathi, Zaki and Abou-Treika whose efforts went inches wide. Al-Hadari was called into action by Ivorian skipper Didier Drogba who remained solid under pressure.
Hadari left Drogba helpless Ivory Coast keeper Boubacar Barry injured himself while reaching for a cross and had to be replaced by reserve guardian Stephan Loboue. The 2006 finalists gave a brilliant display after the period with four more goals. Ivory Coast came on with all guns blazing and threatened Al-Hadari's goal on more than one occasion but the keeper remained stern with some sublime blocks that denied Drogba and Arthur Boka. Two minutes past the hour Egypt doubled their lead through Zaki who towered to connect with a deflected Ahmed Hassan corner to drill home a header off the crossbar. Keita reduced the deficit almost immediately when he cracked an unstoppable drive that left the fully stretched Hadari no chance. In the 67th minute, Al-Hadari sends long kick to Zaki who controls his ball, sidesteps Kolo Toure and fires home a fierce low drive that Loboue touches before it hugs the net. Deep in injury time substitute Mohamed Zidan bursts into the area and sends an inch-perfect pass to the oncoming Abou-Treika who hammers the ball into the back of the net from point blank range to end any hopes of a comeback for Ivory Coast. The defending champions will face Cameroon in the final on Sunday while Ivory Coast take on hosts Ghana in the third place playoff on Saturday.
