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Drogba sets up final against Egypt

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Drogba fires Ivory Coast into Friday's final of the African Nations Cup

ALEXANDRIA, Egypt -- Didier Drogba sent Ivory Coast into the African Nations Cup final against hosts Egypt on Tuesday with the only goal against Nigeria in Alexandria.

Striker Drogba beat the offside trap to run on to a deep pass from Kolo Toure two minutes into the second half of the semifinal and fired through the legs of keeper Vincent Enyeama.

Substitute Amr Zaki -- he replaced the protesting Mido -- headed a superb late winner to give Egypt a controversial 2-1 victory over Senegal in Cairo.

Tottenham striker Mido had an angry exchange with coach Hassan Shehata on the touchline and had to be restrained by two team-mates.

But Shehata was vindicated within three minutes as Zaki rose to power home what proved to be the winner.

Skipper Ahmed Hassan had converted a 37th minute penalty to give Egypt the lead.

Senegal striker Mamadou Niang headed a 52nd minute equalizer before Zaki got the 81st minute winner after replacing Tottenham's Mido.

But Senegal are convinced they should have had a penalty at the end when playmaker Diomansy Kamara went down in the area after a strong challenge by Ibrahim Said.

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Furious Mido had to be restrained after his late substitution by Egypt

Their appeals were waved away by Cameroon referee Divine Evehe -- leaving Egypt on course for a record fifth title 20 years after they also won it on home soil.

Egypt led when a flighted cross into the area was handled by midfielder Frederic Mendy and Hassan stepped up to curl his spot kick into the left-hand corner.

Ordered to re-take it after encroachment, Egypt's skipper planted an equally unstoppable penalty into the right-hand corner for his fourth goal of the tournament.

The Pharaohs' defense was exposed in the 51st minute when Senegal captain Lamine Diatta sent a high ball into the box and Niang headed past Al Hadari.

Drogba decisive

Earlier Drogba's third goal of the tournament meant Nigeria will face Senegal in Thursday's third-place playoff in Cairo.

Chelsea striker Drogba received Didier Zokora's lobbed pass over the Nigerian defense and slotted the ball home.

The Ivory Coast controlled the pace from the start and did most of the attacking, with the Super Eagles sitting back and absorbing the pressure.

Drogba went close in the eighth minute, but Enyeama saved his free kick.

Nigeria created chances in the first half, but there were few clear-cut scoring opportunities in a cautious contest.

After Drogba's goal, the Elephants, growing in confidence, played more freely, but failed to add to the lead.

Nigerian coach Augustine Eguavoen introduced Bolton's Jay Jay Okocha, but his impact was minimal, with the Ivorian defense closing him down whenever he touched the ball.

Okocha had two chances from free kicks, the first saved by Jean-Jacques Tizie. A long range effort went narrowly wide in the 63rd minute.

The Super Eagles pushed forward in the closing minutes, but they were unable to break down a solid Ivorian defense, led by Arsenal defender Kolo Toure.

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