The 2021 Cameroon Africa Cup of Nations that kick-started three weeks back with 24 nations all vying for glory, has zeroed down to four.
The fantastic four include Egypt, Cameroon, Burkina Faso and 2019 runners-up, Senegal, all of whom, are rumbling to make the final. But, how did they perform the last time they made it to this stage?
Record champions (seven), Egypt, who eliminated Morocco courtesy of Mohamed Trazeguet and Mohamed Salah goals, set up a semifinal berth with hosts, Cameroon.
The last time the Pharaohs reached this stage was in 2017 when they ejected Burkina Faso in penalties to reach the final.
After 120 minutes, it was 1-1 thanks to Salah and Aristide Bance for the former and the latter respectively. Ironically, the Egyptians lost to Cameroon 2-1 in the final.
Meanwhile, the latter toppled Ghana 2-0, courtesy of Micheal Ngadeu Ngadjui and Christian Bassogog to reach the final in 2017 in the Gabon edition.
Five years later, the Indomitable Lions, after beating Gambia 2-0 in the last eight, thanks to Karl Toko Ekambi’s brace, will be hoping for a repeat of 2017.
Meanwhile, Burkina Faso also last made it this far in 2017, just like the aforementioned nations.
After losing in penalties to Egypt, they will hope they can oust Senegal on Wednesday in Yaounde and reach the final to brighten their chances of lifting their maiden AFCON title. They beat Tunisia 1-0 to reach the coveted bracket on Saturday.
On the other hand, Senegal who are in search of their first ever glory as well last featured at this stage in the preceding campaign in Egypt (2019).
Courtesy of a Dylan Bronn own-goal, the Lions of Teranga beat Tunisia 1-0 to advance to the final where they lost to eventual winners, Algeria.
This time round though, the Senegalese who beat Equatorial Guinea 3-1 at the quarterfinals, are fired up for a first winners’ gong on their only target.
Semifinal ties
February 2: Burkina Faso v Senegal
February 3: Cameroon v Egypt
