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Mohamed Salah scored as Egypt won 3-2 to dump defending champions Côte d’Ivoire out of the Africa Cup of Nations in a thrilling quarter-final on Saturday.

Egypt will face Senegal on Wednesday in Tangiers with the winners meeting hosts Morocco or Nigeria four days later in the final.

Omar Marmoush and Ramy Rabia netted for Egypt, then Ahmed Aboul-Fetouh conceded an own goal before half-time.

Salah then edged closer to a first Africa Cup of Nations winners medal by doubling the lead soon after the break before Guela Doue pulled a goal back for Côte d’Ivoire.

The triumph in Agadir confirmed the AFCON dominance of Egypt over Côte d’Ivoire since they first met 56 years ago. The Pharaohs have won 11 times and the Elephants just once.

Côte d’Ivoire become the eighth consecutive title-holders unable to successfully defend the title since Egypt achieved the feat in 2010.

Salah has helped Liverpool win the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Champions League and Club World Cup, in its previous format.

The 33-year-old has twice been a runner-up after losses in the AFCON final to Cameroon in 2017 and Senegal five years later. He was also in Egyptian teams that twice made unexpected last-16 exits.

Now he is two matches away from realizing his long-time dream of helping Egypt win the AFCON a record-extending eighth time.

Source: The Egyptian Gazette