February 5, 2006	Sunday	Muharram 6, 1427

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CAIRO, Feb 4: A double from Ahmed Hasan inspired hosts Egypt to a 4-1 victory over Democratic Republic of Congo here on Friday and a place in the semi-finals of the African Nations Cup.

Their other goals came from 39-year-old veteran Hossan Hassan - his 79th in 175 internationals - and Imad Motaeb, his third in two games, while the DRC’s was an own goal by Ahmed El Saka.

In truth the margin flattered Egypt, who now play Senegal for a place in the final, as the DRC paid for having both their first choice central defenders suspended.

First Amr Zaki, alone on the right, had his shot blocked by ‘keeper Pascal Kalemba and then Tarek El Sayed got free on the left but his superb cross evaded the onrushing Motaeb.

It was beginning to look ominous for the DRC as in the 10th minute their makeshift defence was again exposed and a scramble in the six yard box ended with 39-year-old Hassan firing tamely into the hands of Kalemba.

Hassan, scorer of seven goals in the 1998 edition which Egypt won, was linking well with Motaeb and twice the younger striker laid it back to his evergreen partner but the veteran was unable to add to his career tally.

LuaLua then got to the by-line and found Biscotte Mbala but the diminutive midfielder spooned the ball over the top.

That miss proved costly as five minutes later Egypt were awarded a penalty when Ndandu Kasongo’s late tackle on Elsayed saw referee Modou Sowe point directly to the spot.

Although Kalemba went the right way former skipper Ahmed Hasan’s spot kick was too powerful and Egypt were in front.

Eight minutes later Kasongo committed another howler letting Ahmed Hasan’s long pass drop over him to Hossam Hassan and the captain slotted it home gleefully with a powerful drive.

However seldom have 74,000 people been silenced so abruptly as El Saka deflected a shot from Cyrille Mubiala into his own net in injury-time to give the DRC some hope.

They were nearly caught cold within two minutes of the restart as the defence failed to clear the ball and Hossan Hassan pounced but his shot from close range was brilliantly saved by Kalemba with his feet.

His opposite number Essam El Hadary also had to be at his best four minutes later as he recovered from making a poor clearance to beat out a fierce effort from Zola Matumona.

Le Roy had seen enough of Kasongo by this stage and substituted the unfortunate defensive novice, but it was to be Kalemba again who saved his team as he pulled off a breathtaking one-handed save from Amr Zaki and then bravely blocked Motaeb’s follow up.

However an appalling mix-up in his central defence resulted in Motaeb’s goal.

DR Congo failed to deal with Zaki’s run into the area and when the chance arose to clear it they instead passed it to Motaeb - their pleas of handball against Zaki fell on deaf ears.

There was still fight left in the DRC, though, and Mbala went devilishly close to reducing the deficit in the 65th minute as his curling freekick from the left dropped just onto the top of the net.

Mbala was playing some of the best football and a quite mesmerising solo run took him into the box. He left the Egyptians flatfooted but his shot rattled off the bar.

Two minutes from time, Hasan added his second and his team’s fourth from a direct free-kick.

Meanwhile, Nigeria avenged their defeat two years ago to beat Tunisia 6-5 on penalties after both teams were tied 1-1 at full and extra time to qualify for the semifinals of the African Nations Cup on Saturday.

Tunisia skipper Riadh Bouazizi’s kick in sudden death was saved by Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama. Nigeria missed their kicks through Joseph Yobo and Yussuf Ayila but Enyeama kept them in the reckoning when he saved from Adel Chedli and Ben Achour.

The semifinal clash between the two teams two years ago in Tunisa was also decided by penalty shootout.

Nigeria will now square up with the winner of the quarter-final clash between Cameroon and Cote d’Ivoire on Tuesday in Cairo.

Nigeria went in front as early as the sixth minute through Obinna Nsofor. Tunisia tied the game four minutes into the second half through a header by Karim Haggui.

The ‘Super Eagles’ continued to attack but on 14 minutes the shaky Joseph Enakarhire was adjudged to have brought down Jaziri for a penalty. The brilliant Enyeama guessed the right way to keep out Jose Clayton’s spot kick.

The Carthage Eagles continued to mount pressure even after this penalty loss, forcing several corners in quick succession but the Eagles remained resolute in defence.

Stephen Makinwa twice had a chance to double the Nigerian lead. First, he missed with a header in the 38th minute from a corner and aklmost immediately he failed to take full advantage of a rebound after Boumnijel could not hold Yussuf Ayila’s powerful shot from the top of the box.

The long ball by Tunisians though was always a source of bother for the Nigerian defence marshalled by Everton defender Yobo but somehow they held out to go into the break a goal in front.

Tunisia pressed for equaliser after the interval and were duly rewarded in the 49th minute through Strasbourg defender Karim Haggui who nodded home a cross from the right.

Nigeria regained their momentum and it was end-to-end stuff by both teams from then on.—Agencies