Egypt beats Congo, advancing to semifinals
(AP)
Updated: 2006-02-04 11:11

Egypt stayed on course for a record fifth African Cup of Nations title, defeating Congo 4-1 Friday night and advancing to a semifinal against Senegal.

Ahmed Hassan scored twice for the Pharaohs, converting a penalty kick in the 33rd minute after Ndandu Kasongo brought down Amr Zaki in the penalty area, then curling in a free kick in the 89th.

Hossam Hassan scored in the 41st minute — his 71st goal in 169 international appearances — and Emad Moteab got his third goal of the tournament in the 57th.

Congo's goal came in first-half injury time when Abdelzaher El Sakka accidentally put the ball into his own net following Cyrille Mubiala's header.

In Friday's other quarterfinal, Senegal beat Guinea 3-2 at Alexandria. A moment of silence was observed before the game for the victims of the ship disaster in the Red Sea.

Guinea went ahead in the 24th minute when goalkeeper Tony Sylva failed to control a backpass and Kaba Diawara slotted the ball into the open net. The Teranga Lions tied the score in the 61st when Pape Bouba Diop headed in Mustapha Kamara's cross in the 61st, went ahead on Mamadou Niang's goal off a pass from Henri Camara in the 84th and made it 3-1 on Camara's goal in injury time.

Guinea's Pascal Feindouno scored seconds later on a free kick, his fourth goal of the tournament.

In Saturday's quarterfinals, defending champion Tunisia faces Nigeria and Cameroon plays the Ivory Coast.