Controversial goal helps Egypt past Cameroon

Published on Monday 25 January 2010 22:06

TWO goals in five minutes at the start of extra-time helped defending champions Egypt book their place in the African Nations Cup semi-final with a battling victory over Cameroon.

The game, though, was marred by the controversial third goal, scored by midfielder Ahmed Hassan, which was allowed to stand by referee Jerome Damon despite replays showing the ball had clearly not crossed the line. By that time the Pharaohs' captain, who was winning a record 170th cap for his country, had already scored an own goal to put the Indomitable Lions ahead after 26 minutes.

Hassan scored again at the other end to pull his side level with a powerful long-range strike before half-time which eventually forced the game into an additional 30 minutes in Benguela.

Substitute Mohamed Gedo then capitalised on an error from Geremi to put Egypt ahead in extra-time, before Hassan's controversial strike handed them a two-goal cushion.

To make matters worse for Paul Le Guen's Cameroon, Aurelien Chedjou was sent off late on as the north Africans set up a last-four clash with old foes Algeria.

The deadlock was broken when a corner from Achille Emana on the left was too strong for Hassan's weak header on the line and he nodded into his own net. But Hassan equalised with a fierce 35-yard strike that was poorly dealt with by Carlos Kameni and kicked off the turf before flying in.

Hassan Shehata's men wasted no time in killing off the tie as it headed into extra-time, going 3-1 up after 95 minutes. Geremi's poor back-pass from the right was intercepted by Gedo and tucked away with ease through the legs of Kameni. But the final goal will put South African referee Damon in the spotlight after Hassan's free-kick from the left was pushed onto the underside of the crossbar by Kameni and did not cross the line when it hit the ground, but was still allowed to stand.

In the other quarter-final, Nigeria beat Zambia 5-4 in a penalty shootout. Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama netted the winning spot-kick after the game had ended in a goalless draw after extra-time. Nigeria will meet Ghana on Thursday. Nigeria also had Onyekachi Apam sent off in extra-time for a second booking.