Two high-profile players in Mohamed Salah and Vincent Aboubakar will face off in what will be one of the biggest games of the competition so far.
The final four of the Africa Cup of Nations have been decided and the blockbuster tie is an incredibly exciting semi-final clash between Egypt and tournament hosts Cameroon.
Both sides are the most successful pair in the history of the tournament and set for a collision course in Olembe where they will recreate many a knock-out fixture in the last four.
The host country are two titles shy of record winners Egypt, and Cameroon seek to add a sixth Africa Cup of Nations on home soil.
Egypt needed an extra-time goal courtesy of Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan to stun their North Derby rivals Morocco and reach the semi-finals. Mohamed Salah was voted the Man of the Match after his goal and assist in Yaoundé.
On the other hand, Cameroon steamrolled their way through debutants Gambia in their quarter-final clash thanks to a second-half brace from Karl Toko Ekambi.
The Indomitable Lions possess the best attack having scored the most goals at the tournament, although they are less efficient at stopping goals at their own end.
Cameroonian Attacking Duo, Vincent Aboubakar and Karl Ekambi have now scored 11 goals in 5 games at AFCON 2021.
Vincent Aboubakar has 6 goals, 1 assist and Karl Ekambi has 5 goals.
Cameroon Player, Fai Collins has 4 assists at the 2021 AFCON. pic.twitter.com/q0k3yRnNBa
— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) January 29, 2022
Egypt, by contrast, have slowly grown in stature, bouncing back from opening day defeat to Nigeria with consecutive victories over their Group D opponents before downing Ivory Coast in the Round of 16. Clearly, the rugged qualities that have made them the most successful side in the competition’s history have been apparent as the competition has worn on.
The Pharaohs are seven-time champions but are desperate for their first AFCON title since 2010. The semi-final presents a tasty revenge mission for Salah & Co, as their last AFCON meeting was in the 2017 final which Cameroon won via Vincent Aboubakar’s late winning goal.
The Cameroon captain has been the standout player of AFCON 2021 with six goals so far as Gambia became the first side to keep him out.
Cameroonians will once again look to the 30-year-old for inspiration past the stubborn Egyptians. Thankfully, they are not overly dependent on their talisman as Toko Ekambi has admirably stepped up with five goals in the competition.
Thus, the Pharaohs represent Cameroon’s toughest opponent in their campaign thus far and another huge scalp in Yaoundé could push them over the line.
Winning the AFCON would be the most special thing for @MoSalah ??♥️ pic.twitter.com/ZPmVhqyAgI
— 433 (@433) January 28, 2022
While Egypt will undoubtedly look to their captain to step up to the plate, Cameroon are equally confident in the pedigree of their leader in the town where he was born. Despite all his laurels at club level, a title with his national side is one that has eluded him and he will have extra motivation to be at his best come Thursday.
Needless to say, the winner of this tie could end up winning this competition.