Superstar Mohamed Salah has reached the final of the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt and can continue to dream of his first title at the continental championship.
The Liverpool striker won 3-1 on penalties with the record winners against hosts Cameroon and followed Senegal into the final. The vice champion around Salah’s Liverpool teammate Sadio Mané defeated Burkina Faso 3-1 (0-0) on Wednesday.
Match-winner for Egypt was goalkeeper Gabaski, who saved Harold Moukoudi and James Lea Siliki on penalties. Cameroon’s Clinton N’Jie also shot wide, while Egypt’s scorers converted superbly.
Egypt is now playing for its eighth title at the Africa Cup on Sunday (8 p.m. / DAZN). Salah is still waiting for his first triumph: in 2017 he was runner-up, now the big hit should follow.
Bayern professional again only spectators
Hosts Cameroon, with Bayern Munich striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting on the bench, had the better chances in the first half. Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui hit the crossbar with a header (19′), a little later the central defender shot over the goal from a few meters (20′).
Egypt also had chances after the break. Salah appeared free in front of Ajax keeper Andre Onana, but couldn’t control the ball (56′). The game remained open and no goals were scored in extra time either.
The game took place at the Olembe Stadium – ten days after the deadly stampede at the arena. Eight people died on January 24th, apparently because the entrance gate was locked by mistake. The stadium holds 60,000 spectators, 24,317 fans were actually there on Thursday.