BY JOE APU
Seven time winners of the African Cup of Nations, Egypt will today seek to extend their semi-finals winning streak to six matches should they beat Burkina Faso in Libreville.
Surprise survivors Burkina Faso overcame Tunisia in the first quarter-final last Saturday evening, more than 24 hours before Egypt edged Morocco in the last quater-final clash. Many pundits believe this could give the West Africans an advantage at Stade de l’Amitie in the Gabonese capital, especially if the match goes into extra time.
Argentina-born Egypt coach Hector Cuper admitted he was concerned about the shorter recovery time his team had compared to Burkina Faso. “It is not an ideal situation, but we have no choice but to adapt,” said the 61-year-old former Valencia and Inter Millan manager.
A calf injury rules out Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny and striker Marwan Mohsen is a doubtful starter owing to a knee problem. Despite the disadvantages, Egypt will be expected to continue a remarkably successful semi-finals run spanning 31 years.
A wide winning margin against the Burkinabe Stallions is unlikely, however, as Egypt have clawed rather than cruised past opponents in Gabon. Following a 0-0 draw with Mali, they achieved three consecutive 1-0 victories against Uganda, 2015 runners-up Ghana and Herve Renard-coached Morocco.
While scoring only three goals — an average of one every 120 minutes — must trouble Cuper, his team are the only one not to concede a goal in this tournament. Much credit for that goes to goalkeeper Essam El Hadary, who turned 44 this month and became the oldest footballer to play at a Cup of Nations.
“He is first on to the training field and the last to leave,” said Cuper in admiration of an Egyptian chasing a fifth Cup of Nations winners’ medal.
Like Egypt, Burkina Faso enter the semi-finals boasting an unbeaten record after victories over Guinea-Bissau and Tunisia and draws against Cameroon and Gabon.
Goalkeeper Herve Koffi, 24 years younger than El Hadary, has conceded two goals, but none from open play.
Cameroon captain Benjamin Moukandjo beat him with a free-kick and 2015 African Footballer of the Year and Gabon captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang converted a penalty.
In front of Koffi, Burkina Faso have an experienced ‘spine’ in Bakary Kone, Captain Charles Kabore, Prejuce Nakoulma and supersub Aristide Bance.
Cameroon and Ghana, both four-time African champions, meet Thursday in the second semi-final in southeastern city Franceville.
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