Egypt record shock victory

Egypt vs Ivory Coast African Cup of Nations holders Egypt pulled off one of the most memorable shocks in the tournament's history as they dumped early favorites the Ivory Coast out of the tournament at the semi final stage with a 4-1 victory.

The Ivory Coast, who had marked themselves out as favourites, thus fell at the second to last hurdle and will return home with nothing.

Both teams knew that a match with Cameroon awaited them in the final, yet it was Egypt who started with the most urgency, and even managed an early lead.

Ahmed Fathi put Egypt in front in the 12th with a rising shot from the edge of the box and Zaki headed Ahmed Hassan's cross to double the lead in the 62nd.

Abdulkader Keita pulled Ivory Coast within 2-1 with an individual effort in the 63rd, but Zaki restored the two-goal bulge with his second in the 67th before Mohamed Zidan set up Mohamed Aboutreika for Egypt's finale in the 90th.

Egypt will meet Cameroon in Sunday's final. The Indomitable Lions beat Ghana 1-0 earlier Thursday in the other semifinal. Egypt defeated Cameroon 4-2 in first-round group play.