AFCON 2025: Salah detrones champions as Africa bows to Pharaohs

Africa Cup of Nations has its semi-finals, and Egypt have forced their way right into the heart of them!

After Nigeria booked their place earlier on Saturday, the Pharaohs ripped the crown off reigning champions Ivory Coast in a breathless night in Agadir, winning 3-2 and setting up a heavyweight showdown with Senegal on January 14.

This wasn't just another knockout game, this was ruthless, street-smart Egypt led by Mohamed Salah, who once again turned chaos into destiny.

After years of experimenting with foreign coaches, the Pharaohs may finally have rediscovered themselves by returning to tradition.

Hosam Hassan, the first Egyptian coach to lead the team since 2010, already has one trophy on the table - qualification for the upcoming World Cup. Two more wins now stand between Egypt and the African crown.

Against the Elephants they struck fast.

After just four minutes, Emam Ashour sliced through the Ivory Coast's defence with a perfect through ball for Omar Marmoush. The Manchester City forward took advantage of a defensive blunder and calmly beat Fofana to stun the champions.

Then Egypt did what they do best - they locked the doors, being compact, disciplined, and also deadly on set pieces. In the 32nd minute, Mohamed Salah whipped in a corner and Rami Rabia rose above everyone to power a header past the keeper (2-0).

Ivory Coast were gifted a lifeline just before half-time when Ahmed Fattouh accidentally headed into his own net, but Egypt never lost their composure. They had their general. They had their king.

And in the 52nd minute, Mo Salah delivered again.

Ashour's outrageous outside-of-the-boot pass split the defence, and Salah met it, guiding the ball into the net with the calm of a man who has done this his whole life (3-1).

The Elephants tried to fight back, as Guela Doue, brother of PSG star Desire Doue, pulled one back with a well-taken finish twenty minutes from time. For a moment, hope flickered, but Egypt never panicked.

They slowed the game, closed the spaces, and suffocated Ivory Coast's final push with experience and tactical discipline. There would be no miracle. No comeback.

The champions were gone.

Africa now waits for the next chapter. Morocco vs Nigeria. Senegal vs Egypt.

And with Salah leading the charge and tradition back at the helm, the Pharaohs are suddenly looking very dangerous again.

AFCON 2025 - 1/4 FINALS

Friday

Mali - Senegal 0-1 (0-1)

/Ndiaye 27/

Cameroon - Morocco 0-2 (0-1)

/Diaz 26, Saibari 74/

Saturday

Algeria - Nigeria 0-2 (0-0)

/Osimhen 47, Adams 57/

Egypt - Ivory Coast 3-2 (2-1)

/Marmoush 4, Rabia 32, Salah 52 - Fatouh 40 og, Doue 73/