Egypt Reach AFCON Final

 

Egypt are through to the African Cup of Nation final after veteran goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary saved two spot-kicks to defeat Burkina Faso 4-3 penalty shoot-out. Mohamed Salah gave Egypt the lead midway through the second half but Aristide Bance equalised almost immediately - and became the first player to score against the Pharaohs in this year's tournament.


With the game level at 1-1 after extra-time it was the moment for 44-year-old El-Hadary to shine, and he did just that by saving spot-kicks from counterpart Kouakou Herve Koffi and Bertrand Traore. Burkina Faso were fastest out of the blocks in Libreville, Gabon, with Abdou Razack Traore testing El-Hadary with a 25-yard shot after just four minutes.


El-Hadary then flapped at a cross moments later, with Ibrahim Blati Toure almost capitalising from a lob which Ali Gabr headed off the line. Egypt slowly worked their way into the game and midfielder Trezeguet almost broke the deadlock on 17 minutes with a curling shot which flashed inches wide.


Egypt took the lead, though, against the run of play through Salah on 66 minutes. The Roma winger curled the ball into the top corner with his left foot from the edge of the box after Kahraba's neat lay-off. Hector Cuper's side were ahead for just seven minutes, however, after Bance expertly controlled Charles Kabore's cross with his chest and lashed home from 10 yards.