Cameroon Vs Egypt : Pharaohs confront Lions in make or break semi-final clash

By David Meshioye

The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon and Pharaohs of Egypt will battle it out tonight in the second semi-finals clash with a spot in the finals at stake. The two most successful teams in the tournament go head to head in what promises to be a mouth-watering clash billed for Paul Biya stadium

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All is set for tonight's second semi-finals clash between host Cameroon and Egypt as both country's rekindled AFCON rivalry. The last time both teams met was in the 2017 edition in Gabon, and it was Cameroon who smiled home with the trophy after Nikolas N'Kolou and Vincent Aboubakar canceled out Elneny's 22nd-opener to swing the pendulum of victory in their favor.

But the Toni Conceicao's side faces a daunting task tonight when they file out against a side they have managed one win over in their last eight meetings, losing five and picking two draws.

With the home crowd solidly behind the team, The Indomitable Lions got the competition underway on January 7 with a 2-1 win over Stallions of Burkina Faso and feast on Ethiopia with an emphatic 4-1 win in their second game.

With the second-round ticket in the bag, coach Conceicao fielded a half-strength side in their final group game against Cape Verde, and the host was denied a 100% record as they settled for a 1-1 draw to finish as Group A leaders with seven points.

Comoros was next on the menu but Cameroon labored hard to wade off Comoros' threat and progressed to the quarter-finals after a nail hitting 2-1 over a side who fielded a left-wing back Chaker Alhadhur in goal. Karl Toko Ekambi and Vincent Aboubakar found the net to continue the Indomitable Lions fairy tale run in the competition.

The quarter-finals encounter against fellow debutant Gambia was a stroll in the Park for the Lions as the host taught their opponents some football lessons with a brace from Toto Ekambi to set up a semi-final clash against the Pharaohs. Cameroon is now seeking its sixth AFCON title and is unbeaten in their last ninth matches in all competition. 

They are up against a side that Is hungry to extend their AFCON win to eight after coach Carlos Quieroz's side last won it in Angola 2010. Egypt will be glad to have made it to the last four knowing too well that they have not been too impressive in this year's tournament after they struggled to emerge as Group D runners-up with six points after losing 1-0 to Nigeria in their first game.

The Mo Sallah-inspired side brushed aside Guinea Bissau with the only goal coming from the Liverpool man and overpowered Sudan with the same scoreline. They came up against an in-form Ivorians in the rounds of 16, and could only settle their scores with penalties but it was Egypt who won the pulsating encounter 5-4 after 120 minutes of football.

Pre-tournament favorites Morocco were tipped to make mincemeat of Egypt in the quarter-finals, and the Atlas did live up to expectations when Egypt fell behind after Sofiane Boufal converted a penalty seven minutes into the match after Achraf Hakimi was been brought down in the box.

 It was Mo Sallah's turn to prove why he is one best player in the world when he scored from a goalmouth melee in the 53rd minute. The Liverpool talisman then came up with an individual brilliance when his pullout was converted by Trezeguet in the 100th-minutes which Morocco never recovered from.

But Sallah has warned his teammates to learn from their past mistakes and not expect too much from him when they face the host tonight.

"In the first place, we must prove to the entire world that the Pharaohs still have what it takes to be crowned champions of Africa.

"We disappointed our fans in 2019 when we hosted the tournament. We have to make amends this time.

“This is a new generation of Pharaohs," Salah told the press

They may not be too impressive in the tournament so far but their defensive qualities have never been in doubt. With three clean sheets and having conceded two goals from three matches, Cameroon will have to dig deep to find the net.

 With the home crowd out to cheer their darling team from the blast of the whistle, it remains to be seen if The Pharaoh will rise to the occasion and make this year's final a Mo Sallah versus Saidou Mane final.

Cameroon possible starting lineup: 
Onana; Fai, Castelletto, Ngadeu, Tolo; Oum Gouet, Anguissa; Ekambi, Kunde, Ngamaleu; Aboubakar

Egypt possible starting lineup: 
Sobhy; Kamal, Trezeguet, Hamdi, Fatouh; Ashraf, El-Surya, Elneny; Mohamed, Marmoush, Salah