Essam El Hadary Experience Powers Egypt into Afcon Final

The Pharaohs of Egypt against all odds overpowed Burkina Faso to reach another African Cup of Nations final.
he seven times champion won the game on penalties after ending the regulation and extra time on 1-1 scoreline.
The Stallions got off to an encouraging start with Nakoulma forcing El Hadardy into a fine save, while Aristade Bance went close with a strike from distance in the 16th minute.
Egypt grew stronger as the half went on, as the likes of Mohamed Salah and Trezeguet started seeing more of the ball down the flanks.

Koffi came to Burkina Faso's rescue in the 37th minute, as he produced a fine save to keep out Kahraba's swerving effort from 25-yards out.

Burkina Faso enjoyed most of the possession in the opening 45 minutes, but could not take advantage of their dominance, as the score remained goalless at the break.
Much like the first half, the Stallions looked more threatening with the pace of Bertrand Traore, but their decision-making in the final third was not up to par.
However, it was Egypt who broke the deadlock in the 65th minute when Kahraba teed up Salaha, who placed the ball into the top corner from the edge of the box.
The Stallions leveled matters in the 72nd minute when Bance controlled well, before volleying into the bottom corner from six-yards out and it was the first goal that Egypt has conceded in the championship thus far.

Neither side could find a winning goal in the closing stages, which forced the encounter into 30 minutes of extra time.

However, extra-time proved to a dull affair with both sides looking tired as the tie went into a shoot-out, where Egypt triumphed 4-3 as the legendary Essam El Hadary was the hero with two saves.
They now awaits the winner between Ghana and Cameroon in the second semi final later today.

Photos Credit : Cafonline