YAOUNDE: Liverpool team-mates Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, two of African football’s leading forwards, will be facing off as rivals for the continental title.

Salah didn’t even get a chance to take a penalty for Egypt in a 3-1 shootout victory over Cameroon in the African Cup of Nations semi-finals on Thursday after the hosts failed to score three times from the spot.

It was Clinton Njie’s miss wide that secured Egypt’s progress after the seven-time African champions scored their first three penalties. Goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal, who wears the name Gabaski on the back of his jersey, also made two spectacular saves for Egypt.

The game ended 0-0 after 120 minutes with the biggest flashpoint coming toward the end of regulation when Egypt coach Carlos Queiroz was sent off. He will now be banned from the touchline for Sunday’s final against Senegal.

It was the first game back at the Olembe Stadium in Yaounde since eight fans died after a crush outside Cameroon’s last-16 game against Comoros last Monday.

The same venue will stage the final on Sunday when Mane’s Senegal will be seeking their first African title after losing the last final in 2019 to Algeria.

We are very proud of our achievement today but there is one more step to go,” said Egypt assistant coach Diaa al-Sayed.

The match itself delivered few highlights, played on a heavy pitch that sapped the energy out of the players.

But Egypt could have won in dramatic style in the last minute of extra time when Ramadan Sobhi whipped in a cross from the right that had three team mates attempting to get on the end of it but all missing out on providing a decisive touch.

Cameroon centre-back Michael Ngadeu Ngadjui had the best chances of a first half that was low on tempo, high on ball turn over and short on opportunity.

The big defender hit the crossbar with a header from a corner after 18 minutes and then miscued an opportunity along the ground from the set-piece that followed straight after.

Karl Toko Ekambi might have also found the net in the first period for the hosts but his 32nd minute effort lacked power and looped up for goalkeeper Abou Gabal to comfortably catch.

A rasping second half strike from Samuel Oum Gouet also shaved the Egypt bar but the game seemed destined for penalties as both sides failed to put together any effective passing moves.

Published in Dawn, February 5th, 2022