Egypt's delightful display in the 4-1 thumping of Ivory Coast overshadowed the surprise elimination of hosts Ghana at the hands of Cameroon in the African Cup of Nations semi-finals on Thursday. Shortly after the Black Stars were knocked out by a clever Alain Nkong strike in Accra, defending champions Egypt produced a performance of their own to rout the mighty Elephants in Kumasi. With some sublime team football and virtuoso performances from striker Amr Zaki and goalkeeper Essam Al-Hadari, the Pharaohs were able to outclass favorites Ivory Coast and reach their second straight final. Egypt and Cameroon, who share nine titles between them, set up a second meeting in Ghana, following their Group C opener in which the Egyptians hammered the Lions 4-2. Man of the day: It is difficult to choose between Al-Hadari and Zaki, as the duo were instrumental in Egypt's outstanding victory over Ivory Coast. Africa's top goalkeeper Al-Hadari produced a series of superb saves to thwart Didier Drogba, who was evidently left devastated by the Ahli guardian. In the same manner, Zamalek striker Zaki scored a magnificent double to steer Egypt to the final, just like he did in 2006, when he hit the crucial winner against Senegal in Cairo. Goal of the day: Even though his side was well-beaten, but Kader Keita's strike for Ivory Coast had to be special in order to beat Al-Hadari. Keita rifled an unstoppable long-range drive to score the Elephants' only goal of the game. Moment of the day: Ivory Coast hitman Drogba gazed at Al-Hadari in astonishment, when the Egypt goalkeeper denied the Chelsea ace a clear-cut goal. The top 'Drog' must have been bearing in mind that penalty save from Al-Hadari in the CAN 2006 final shootout. Disappointment of the day: A moment of sheer madness from Cameroon's Andre Bikey saw him cruelly shoving a member of the medical team, who were trying to treat teammate Rigobert Song. Referee Abdul-Rahim Arjoune had no option but to send off the Reading defender, who will dearly pay for his act by sitting out the final on Sunday. What the Papers Said
Lions eliminated hosts Egypt "Egypt thrash Ivory Coast by four, meet Cameroon in final" was the headline of Al-Ahram, who stated that it was a 'memorable night for all Egyptians'. Al-Ahram indicated that 'Drogba, Zokora, Kalou, Keita and Toure brothers were left stranded after they received a hammering at Baba Yara Stadium'. Al-Akhbar stated: ''Pharaohs crush Elephants in a historic game," Ivory Coast "Elephants drown in the Nile," stated Daily Fratmat. The paper summed up the Ivoirians' misery saying that: "Yamoussoukro is like a dead city after the defeat". Nord Sud said: ''Kumasi, the end of the Elephants". Cameroon ''Cameroon in final'' was the headline of Camfoot, which reported that 'The legend continues and history repeats itself as Cameroon once again proved to be the demolisher of host nations'. The paper mentioned Cameroon's knocking out to previous hosts like Ivory Coast in 1984, Morocco in 1988, Senegal in 1992, Nigeria in 2000 and Mali in 2002. Le Messenger said: "The Indomitables heading to fifth coronation". Ghana "Stars crash" said Daily Guide, which conceded that '22 million hearts were broken by the defeat of the national team'. Modern Ghana reported: ''Cameroon end Ghana's quest for Gold''.
