Seven time AFCON champions Egypt stunned reigning champion Côte d’Ivoire 3-2 in the North-West African battle on Saturday at the Grand Stade d’Agadir to set-up a semi-final clash against Senegal.
Omar Marmoush gave the Pharaohs of Egypt an early lead with a right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal with assist by Emam Ashour.
Mohammed Salah provided an assist for Rabia in the 32 minutes before scoring his fourth of the tournament in the 52nd minute.
The West Africans fought really hard to getback knto the game following an owngoal from Fatouh in the 40th minute, before Doué cut the deficit in the 73 minutes to make it 3-2.
The Pharaohs eliminated the AFCON reigning champions in an emotion socked match at the Grand Stade d’Agadir.
Before Saturday’s encounter, Egypt have won seven AFCON games against Cote d’Ivoire, their highest tally against any team.
While Cote d’Ivoire’s seven defeats against Egypt at AFCON are their most losses against any team.
This is their second quarterfinal meeting (first in 1998) and fifth knockout clash overall, with three matches ending 0-0 and decided on penalties, all won by Egypt (1998 QF, 2006 Final, 2021 R16).
Only one of the four knockout games produced goals: Egypt’s 4-1 Semi-final win in 2008.
The Pharaohs repeated same margin beating the West Africans again in another quarterfinal clash in Morocco.
Egypt and Côte d’Ivoire are no strangers to each another. Beyond the familiarity of the teams, there is also a compelling duel on the touchline.
Egypt’s Hossam Hassan and Côte d’Ivoire’s Emerse Faé know each other well, having crossed paths as players during the 2006 AFCON in Egypt.
They faced off first in the group stage, then again in the final. On both occasions, it was Hassan who emerged victorious, providing two assists in a 3-1 group-stage win before lifting the trophy after a dramatic penalty shoot-out in the final.
“Our ambition is huge and each game is a final regardless of the opponent. I respect Côte d’Ivoire because they are the defending champions and a great side.
“We have analysed them since their first game and how they play; we know what to expect. We have our style and we are ready,” Hossam Hassan, Egypt coach said before the match.
However, Côte d’Ivoire’s Emerse Faé was optimistic about playing against Hassan, now as a national team coach.
“In 2006, they were almost similar as they are now and I think Egypt has always been like that; they look like they are struggling but they will always find a way to win.
“I understand their football very well and having watched them in this tournament, it is just the jersey and the players who have changed, but it is the same Egypt I faced in 2006,” Faé said.
