4th February, 2022
Mohamed Salah, Egypt’s captain led teammates in a spontaneous lap of joy after Cameroon missed their third out of four penalties.
Neither Salah was needed to take his own fifth penalty nor the fourth by another team mate as the Cameroonians had helped them qualify for the final of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations.
The match had ended goalless at the end of 120 minute.
But after the penalties, Egypt beat hosts Cameroon 3-1 and advanced to a final showdown against Senegal at the Olembe Stadium on Sunday.
Goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal was the hero for the Egyptians, saving from both Harold Moukoudi and James Lea-Siliki in the shoot-out at the Olembe Stadium before Clinton Njie blazed wide with Cameroon’s last chance to keep their dream alive.
The final match will see Salah come up against his Liverpool teammate Sadio Mane.
The Pharaohs are chasing a record-extending eighth African crown while Senegal continue their search for their first title.
Cameroon, meanwhile, see their hopes of AFCON glory on home soil ended in cruel fashion, and they must still get through a third-place play-off against Burkina Faso this weekend.
Team manager Antonio Conceiçao summed up the despair of a nation.
“The team played well during the 90 minutes trying to score goals but we didn’t succeed.
“We are as sad as the 27 million Cameroonians, but I think the Egyptian team knew how to counter us.
“We’re sad but it’s the reality,” he said.