Egypt stroll into final

DEFENDING champions Egypt easily made it into the final of the Africa Cup of Nations as eight-man Algeria bowed out in ignominious fashion.

The game was evenly poised until Rafik Halliche felled Emad Moteab in the box eight minutes before the break, earning a red card for his troubles, and Hosni Abd Rabou converted the spotkick.

Mohamed Zidan added a classy second after 65 minutes before Nadir Belhadj saw red for a horror challenge on Ahmed El Mohamady five minutes later.

Mohamed Abdelshafy grabbed his first goal for Egypt nine minutes from time, but there was still time for Algeria goalkeeper Faouzi Chaouchi, who should have been dismissed in the first half, to pick up a second yellow and for Mohamed Gedo to make it 4-0 in stoppage time.

It was revenge for Egypt who missed out on a World Cup spot when they were beaten by their rivals in a play-off.

The key moment came after 37 minutes, when Moteab went down under a challenge from Halliche and referee Codja Koffi gave a penalty.

After a lengthy delay, Koffi also produced the red card.

Halliche only had himself to blame as the chance came from his botched clearance.

Hosni converted with the help of a stuttering run-up which incensed Chaouchi, who made a vehement protest to the referee, even seeming to make contact with his head, and was lucky not to be sent off himself.

It was a stroll for Egypt after that and they will play Ghana in Sunday’s final after Asamoah Gyan scored the only goal in their win over regional rivals Nigeria.

The goal came midway through the first half when a Kwadwo Asamoah corner caught out the napping Super Eagles defence and the inform Rennes striker applied the finishing touches.

It was one-way traffic thereafter as solid goalkeeping from Wigan goalkeeper Richard Kingston, helped the four-time former winners seal a place in the final for the first time since 1992.