Heartbreak for Salah and Egypt as AFCON hosts crash out – but Iwobi is Nigeria hero in knockouts
EGYPT were stunned by South Africa on Saturday night, crashing out of the African Cup of Nations in Cairo.
A goal from Thembinkosi Lorch with five minutes to go ended the Pharoahs' dream of winning the tournament on home soil.
South Africa, who squeezed through qualification to the competition after draws with Libya and Seychelles, were widely expected to be brushed aside in the capital.
While Egypt waltzed through their group with a perfect record, their opponents only made it to the last-16 in the final third-placed team spot.
With two goals in the group stages, Liverpool star Mohamed Salah wasn't able to provide the telling blow despite his side dominating possession.
Mahmoud Trezeguet spurned their best chance and they continued to press late on - and got caught out on the counter as a result.
A slick passing move through the open Egyptian defence fell to Orlando Pirates forward Lorch and his calm finish knocked the seven-time winners out.
The final whistle signalled the end of a dream for the 2017 runners-up.
Salah collapsed in tears, surrounded by glum teammates, as fans were left pondering how their hopes had been dashed - especially so prematurely.
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If one favourite was sent home early, another relied on a second-half comeback to reach the quarter-finals on Saturday.
Clarence Seedorf's Cameroon fell behind to Nigeria via Odion Ighalo's early strike but fought back to lead 2-1 at half-time.
But the Super Eagles launched back into the tie with a quickfire double, provided by Ighalo and Alex Iwobi.
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The Arsenal winger broke into the box to collect a through ball and finish first time into the bottom corner.
Nigeria face South Africa in the last-eight after Benin and Senegal booked their places on Friday.
With Egypt and holders Cameroon out, the competition is wide open with Algeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Tunisia in action in the coming days.
