The Pharaohs brought the Elephants’ reign to an end in dramatic fashion, edging a pulsating 3–2 victory in Agadir, while Nigeria also laid down a serious marker with a commanding win to secure their semi-final berth at the 2025 tournament.

In front of a packed Adrar Stadium, Egypt struck early and never lost belief in a contest that ebbed and flowed with intensity, keeping supporters on the edge of their seats until the final whistle. 

The North Africans showed composure under pressure, even as Ivory Coast surged back at them on two occasions.

Mo Salah. Photo: CAF

Egypt enjoyed a dream start, opening the scoring inside four minutes. Omar Marmoush showed blistering pace and hunger to latch onto Emam Ashour’s defence-splitting through ball, shrugging off Odilon Kossounou before drilling a low finish past Yahia Fofana.

Ivory Coast responded with purpose, pushing Egypt deep and upping the tempo, but were denied by desperate last-ditch defending as Amad Diallo and Yan Diomande both went close to restoring parity.

The Pharaohs doubled their advantage just after the half-hour mark when Mohamed Salah’s corner was met by the towering Rami Rabia, whose looping header dropped perfectly into the net. 

The Elephants clawed their way back into the contest before the break, though, as Diomande’s dangerous free-kick caused chaos in the box and Ahmed Fatouh inadvertently turned the ball into his own net.

Seven minutes into the second half, Egypt restored their two-goal cushion. Emam Ashour produced a moment of brilliance down the left flank, his outside-of-the-boot pass picking out Salah, who stabbed home from close range to make it 3–1.

Victor Osimhen. Photo: CAF

True to their fighting spirit, Ivory Coast refused to lie down and struck again in the 73rd minute. Guela Doué found the back of the net after Jean-Philippe Krasso’s header sparked mayhem in the area. 

Despite a late onslaught, Egypt held firm to keep alive their dream of a record-extending eighth AFCON crown.

Earlier in Marrakesh, Nigeria underlined their title credentials with a composed 2–0 win over Algeria. The Super Eagles controlled proceedings before second-half goals from Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams sealed the deal.

Osimhen, a constant menace, opened the scoring with a powerful header shortly after the restart, before turning provider for Adams to tap home from close range. 

Nigeria will now lock horns with hosts Morocco in what promises to be a blockbuster semi-final.

Attention now turns to Wednesday’s double-header. At 19:00, Egypt and Senegal will battle it out in the first semi-final in Tangier, before Morocco entertain Nigeria’s Super Eagles at 22:00 in Rabat, with a place in the AFCON final on the line.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg