Tonight will see the conclusion of the semi-final line up for this years African Cup of Nations as Egypt take on Angola and Tunisia play Cameroon.
Having watched all their matches the one thing that tonight seems to promise is goals.
The Egypt vs Angola game consists of probably the most impressive team, and biggest surprise, in the group stages.
Without having the solidity provided by players such as Michael Essien and Yaya Toure, Egypt have been at times, breathtaking. They haven't seemed to miss midfielder Barakat's influence and in Mohamed Zidan they probably have the star of the tournament so far. Despite only playing half the match in his last two ties, Zidan was simply awesome against a strong Cameroon side in the opening match and it will take a lot to beat his two goals in that match.
Hassan Shehata, the coach, also uses one of the games lost arts: the wing back. It's an incredibly risky strategy that has largely died out in modern football, but with suitable players, the system can be highly destructive and Egypt have shown so far that they are more than able all over the park to pull it off.
Angola have been the surprise package in the tournament, but should we really be that surprised. This is their second major tournament after an incredible World Cup qualification two years ago put them on the map. Despite scraping through the easiest group, down mainly to a good win over troubled Senegal and a point against a very young, inexperienced South Africa, Angola have shown that they have good, quality players to make a mark in this game. In Manucho they have a player that Sir Alex Ferguson bought in December, and it's not often that Alex makes a mistake when it comes to stikers. The man is quick, powerful and strong and at 24 has enough experience to lead the line against Egypt. Plus, in Flavio he has a partner that can cause some damage.
Despite this, I can see Egypt being too strong for Angola and an Ivory Coast vs Egypt final is a mouth-watering prospect.
Tunisia, the dark horses of the tournament, never looked like striding ahead in a fairly easy group. Solid as always, Tunisia have an amazing Nations Cup record since 1990 culminating in a trophy in 2004, all be it on their home turf. Despite this, coach Lemerre is widely despised by Tunisians and there is rarely smoke without fire. The team look solid without really having a match winner.
Cameroon on the other hand, certainly do. In Samuel Eto'o they have the most destructive striker Africa may ever have seen. After a poor first match against a rampant Egypt, a game where they still managed two goals, Cameroon have looked extremely comfortable in their next two matches with goals coming at ease. They have experience across the park and of course, the Eto'o factor, meaning nobody can underestimate the Indomitable Lions despite them having their worst period of success since they first qualified for the tournament back in 1982.
The game promises goals and unlike the other match, no clear favourite meaning this could be the pick of tonight's ties.


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