Egypt beat Ivory Coast

Cairo:

Egypt has earned a spot in the quarterfinals of the African Cup of Nations after beating Ivory Coast 3-1 in Group A. PSV Eindhoven striker Aruna Kone scored for the Elephants, who had already qualified for the last eight and rested Chelsea's Didier Drogba among other key players. Cairo International Stadium erupted in the eighth minute when Emad Moteab headed in from close range.

Thwarting chances The Pharaohs had a string of early chances, but influential forward Mido limped off in the 23rd minute, appearing to nurse a groin injury, and Egypt immediately dropped a gear. Kone exploited lax defending in the 42nd and scored past goalkeeper Essam El Hadari from the edge of the area. Ivory Coast coach Henri Michel had insisted before the game he had wanted to win it, but kept his firepower on the bench as his team fell behind following the second-half injury of goalkeeper Jean-Jacques Tizie. Substitute Boubacar Barry conceded two goals in 11 minutes. Mohamed Aboutrika placed the ball beyond his reach in the 61st minute, sending 74,000 home fans into ecstasy. Under pressure, Ivory Coast left gaps at the back and Moteab netted his second in the 69th after veteran Hossam Hassan missed a header on open goal. El Hadari punched clear and injury-time free kick from Siaka Tiene. Lineups: Egypt: Essam El Hadari, Mohamed Abdelwahab (Tarek El Sayed, 62) Ibrahim Said, Abdel El Saqqa, Emad Moteab, Mohamed Shawki, Mohamed Barakat, Mido (Hossam Hassan, 23), Ahmed Hassan, Wael Gomaa, Mohamed Aboutrika (Hassan Mostafa, 75). Ivory Coast: Jean-Jacques Tizie (Boubacar Barry, 58), Blaise Kossi Kouassi, Emerse Fae, Bnaventure Kalou, Arouna Kone, Cyrille Domoraud, Siaka Tiene, Yaya Toure (Kanga Akale, 84), Guy Demel (Bakary Kone, 66), Emmanuel Eboue, Christian Koffi Ndri. (AP)