Goals from Ahmed Fathi, Amr Zaki (2) and Mohamed Aboutriaka gave the holders a convincing victory and the chance for a second victory over Cameroon at this tournament having beaten them in their opening game.

Egypt got off to a flying start when Fathi's deflected shot somehow found its way into the net after 12 minutes and survived a first-half onslaught from the Ivorians, with Essam Al Hadari saving three times from Didier Drogba.

Egypt then doubled their lead against the run of play on 62 minutes when Zaki powered his header in off the underside of the crossbar but the Ivory Coast reduced the arrears a minute later with a long-range Abdulkader Keita strike.

However, Egypt restored their two-goal cushion on 67 minutes when Zaki netted his second goal of the contest and sealed the victory in the closing seconds when Aboutriaka smashed home the clincher from close range.

Cameroon had earlier beaten hosts Ghana 1-0, but the game will be remembered for a mad moment involving Andre Bikey that will rule him out of the final.

The Reading defender was given a straight red card for shoving a member of the medical staff who were attending to his team-mate Rigobert Song in stoppage time.

The Indomitable Lions led through Alain Nkong's second-half goal, scored after a brilliant piece of counter-attacking football which illuminated an otherwise drab semi-final.

The midfielder, who plays for Atlante in Mexico, latched on to a Samuel Eto'o through-ball after 71 minutes to score.