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Egypt Beats Cameroon In Penalty Shootout to Book a Place In AFCON Final

by Chief Okuzo

The Egypt National team alias the Pharaos secured their berth in the AFCON final courtesy of Goal keeper Gabaski heroic efforts that stopped two penalty kicks in the penalty shootout.

Before this clash, Cameroon had proceeded from their prior eight AFCON semi-finals, whilst the Egyptians had made it to the final in all their last six efforts.

Cameroon got their first golden opportunity to take the lead that came to Captain Vincent Aboubakar but he failed to capitalize the chance.

After 24 minutes of game time, Nicolas Moumi Ngamaleu had an opportunity from the corner, but the striker’s attempt looped onto the post, and the chance slipped away when teammate Michael Ngadeu came in the way of the rebound. Minutes later a chance was delivered to an unmarked Karl Toko Ekambi in the box. Toko strained to control the ball owing to the roughness of the ground and his close range attempt missed the target.

In the 2nd half the Pharaos executed a ferocious counter-attacking play after Martin Hongla blunder that handed Mohamed Salah a backpass. The Liverpool Winger nevertheless failed to grab the opportunity due to Andre Onana sweeping skills that closed down the forward early.

With approximately 20 minutes to go, Andre-Frank Anguissa nearly became a knight in shining armor of the semi-final, but his 40-yard strike brushed the post. The first 90 minutes of the game finished in a barren stalemate and necessitated into extra time with Egypt manager Carlos Quieroz sent off.

The game proceeded to penalties after both sides failed to score in the 30 minutes of the extra. Egypt’s Goal Keeper Gabaski was the person of the moment as he acrobaticaly saved penalty kicks from James Lea Siliki and Harold Moukoudi. Clinton Njie missed the ‘Indomotable-Lions’ last spot kick and sealed their doom. The Pharaos will now advance to the final for two consecutive occasions.

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