Egypt 2 Senegal 1: Zaki heads Egypt into final but Mido sours success

Ahmed Hassan converted a penalty and Amr Zaki scored the winner with nine minutes remaining to give Egypt a 2-1 victory over Senegal and put the hosts into the African Nations' Cup final against Ivory Coast.

After Hassan scored from the spot in the 36th minute, a header from Mamadou Niang equalized six minutes into the second half. Zaki, who replaced Tottenham striker Mido and in the 77th minute, scored with his first touch, delighting the crowd of 74,000 at Cairo International Stadium.

"I'm so glad I got that goal. It's great," Zaki said. Mido had returned from a groin injury and had a quiet game, but bitterly complained when substituted.

Assistant coach Shawki Ghaib said Mido's replacement paid off. "We did what we had to win the game and have a shot at the tournament," Ghaib said. "Obviously we're very happy with the way things went. This was a great step toward the title and we've taken it. The game was even and a great advertisement for African football."

The victory sends Egypt to the title match for the first time since 1998, when they beat South Africa, and puts them in a position to win a record fifth crown. Cameroon and Ghana also have won four Nations' Cup titles.

Egypt (4-4-2): Hadary; Wahab, El Sakka, Said, Goma'a; Shawki, Barakat, Treka, A Hassan; Motaeb (H Hassan, 90), Mido (Zaki, 79).

Senegal (4-2-1-1-2): Sylva; Diakhate, Diawara, Diatta, Daf; Faye, Mendy (Kamara, 85); Kamara; Diop; Camara (Diouf, 66), Niang.

Referee: D Evehe (Cameroon).

* The Portsmouth striker Lomana LuaLua is mourning his 18-month-old son, who died while the striker was in Egypt playing for Democratic Republic of Congo in the African Nations' Cup.