Source: CCTV.com

02-05-2008 08:50

Special Report:   2008 African Cup

Egypt beat Angola to reach semi-final

Hosni Abd Rabou and Amr Zaki scored a goal each on Monday night to help Egypt reach the semi-finals of the African Cup of Nations after a 2-1 win over Angola.

Angola's Rui Marques, right, controls the ball as teammate Marco Airosa, center, and Egypt's Emad Moteab, left, look on during their African Cup of Nations quarterfinal match in Kumasi, Ghana, Monday, Feb. 4, 2008. Egypt beat Angola 2-1 to advance to the semifinals.(AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) 
Angola's Rui Marques, right, controls the ball 
as teammate Marco Airosa, center, and Egypt's 
Emad Moteab, left, look on during their African 
Cup of Nations quarterfinal match in Kumasi, 
Ghana, Monday, Feb. 4, 2008. Egypt beat Angola 
2-1 to advance to the semifinals.
(AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) 

Abd Rabou scored a penalty to give Egypt the lead in the 23rd minute after Andre Macanga was penalised for hand-ball in the area. Manucho levelled for Angola in the 27th, skilfully dribbling past Shady Mohamed before beating goalkeeper from 25 metres.A spectacular goal. Seven minutes from half-time, Amr Zaki took advantage of a defensive error to put Egypt back in front.And 2-1,it remained untill the end of the match. Egypt, searching for a sixth African nations crown, will now meet the Ivory Coast in a semi-final match-up on Thursday.

Shwky Ghareb, Assistant Head Coach of Egypt said "Because we are defended champions the title will be ours until the 10th February that's when we will know who would be the winner. But in the meantime we are still the champion."

Figueiredo, Angola Player said "We suffered with the first goal and then we scored for 1-1. But then they scored again for 2-1. It is more difficult to get in front of a team like Egypt when you are losing. But I think in the second half if you score for 2-2, I think the game is different."

Cameroon to meet Ghana in last 4

Cameroon also advanced into the semifinal after beating Tunisia 3-2. Stephane MBia headed in the opening goal for Cameroon in the 19th minute. Geremi made it 2-0 with a superb free-kick eight minutes later. But Tunisia's players kept their composure and pulled two goal back to force extra time.

Tunisia's Sabeur Frej, left, challenges Cameroon's Mohamadou Idrissou during their African Cup of Nations quarter-final soccer match in Tamale, Ghana, Monday Feb. 4, 2008. Cameroon won the game 3-2 after extra time.(AP Photo/Alastair Grant) 
Tunisia's Sabeur Frej, left, challenges Cameroon's Mohamadou 
Idrissou during their African Cup of Nations quarter-final 
soccer match in Tamale, Ghana, Monday Feb. 4, 2008. Cameroon 
won the game 3-2 after extra time.(AP Photo/Alastair Grant) 

However, MBia won the match for Cameroon just two minutes into the extra time when he converted a cross from substitute Joel Epalle.