{image-african nations cup_08022008.jpg news.oneindia.in}Kumasi (Ghana), Feb 8: Defending champion Egypt and Cameroon advanced Thursday to the final of the African Cup of Nations.

Amr Zaki scored a pair of second-half goals as Egypt defeated Ivory Coast 4-1. Earlier in the day, Cameroon beat host Ghana 1-0 at Accra on a 71st-minute goal by Alain Nkong.Ahmed Fathi scored for Egypt in the 12th minute on a rising shot from the edge of the box and Zaki headed in Ahmed Hassan's cross in the 62nd.

Abdulkader Keita cut the lead to 2-1 in the 63rd, but Zaki scored in the 67th and Mohamed Aboutreika in the 90th.

Samuel Eto'o set up Nkong's goal for Cameroon, which advanced to the final for the sixth time and first since winning the last of its four crowns in 2002.

Ghana was without suspended captain John Mensah, forcing the Black Stars to drop midfielder Michael Essien to the center of its defense.

OneIndia News