AFCON: Three Bundesliga-based players in the semis

Egypt knocked out Yan Diomande and Bazoumana Touré’s Côte d’Ivoire from the 35th edition of the African Cup of Nations.

The semi-final bracket is complete in the African Cup of Nations after Egypt’s hard-fought win over defending champions Côte d’Ivoire on Saturday. The Pharaohs were the efficient side in the closely-fought encounter in Agadir, Morocco.

RB Leipzig’s winger Yan Diomande was on the pitch for Côte d’Ivoire until he was substituted late in the game by TSG Hoffenheim’s Bazoumana Touré. Former Stuttgart and Eintracht Frankfurt striker Omar Marmoush scored Egypt’s opening goal.

Fellow Premier League star Mohamed Salah added an assist and a well-taken goal to secure a 3-2 win for the record champions. Diomande’s set-piece had Emersen Fae’s side go into the break 2-1 down with an own-goal. Côte d’Ivoire also made it 3-2 in the 73rd minute, but Egypt held on to secure their place in Wednesday’s semi-finals.

The 2021 champions Senegal will be Egypt’s opponents, while hosts Morocco face the in-form Nigerian side. Nicolas Jackson (Senegal, Bayern), Bilal El Khannouss (Morocco, Stuttgart), and Eliesse Ben Seghir (Morocco, Leverkusen) are the three Bundesliga-based players remaining in the competition. All of them were summer acquisitions by their respective clubs.