The two heavyweights Côte d'Ivoire and Egypt made it to the pre-most talked about quarterfinals of the African Championships on Wednesday night, and despite a goalless first half, they could not complain about the entertainment.

Egyptens Omar Marmoush träffade ribban efter dryga kvarten och ett par minuter senare skickade landsmannen Mohamed Salah iväg ett skott alldeles utanför straffområdet som Elfenbenskustens målvakt, Badra Ali Sangare, verkligen fick sträcka ut på för att rädda. Hans namne, mittfältaren Ibrahim Sangare, var sedan framme och höll på att sätta 1-0 för hemmalaget med en flygande volley från mitt i straffområdet, avslutet var dock inte alltför välplacerat vilket gjorde att Egyptens målvakt Mohamed El Shenawy kunde rädda bollen utan några större problem.

Stjärnmålvakten tvingades utgå

Inför matchen var Elfenbenskusten rätt klara favoriter men i den andra halvleken var det Egypten som hade det mesta och det bästa av spelet även om inte hemmalaget saknade möjligheter.

With two minutes left to play regular time, it became dramatic after Mohamed El Shenawy was forced to go out injured, a heavy setback for Egypt.

- There is no bad replacement who comes in, but El Shanawy is one of Africa's best goalkeepers and it is not fun to come in cold in the final stages of a match with so much pressure on him, says Viasat's expert commentator Bojan Djordjic.

Goalless overtime

Substitute Gabaski was put to the test relatively immediately but was strong when he reached the top and picked down a corner in the second minute of overtime.

A nice self-confidence boost before the overtime game that his Egypt started clearly sharpest with several good goal chances as a result.

It took until the 104th minute before Gabaski got the chance to shine again, this time by stretching out and directing Sangare's long range shot to the corner.

Closer than that, none of the teams came after that and the match went to penalties.

Once there, we got to see nine safe penalties - and a really nonchalant penalty kick signed by Ivory Coast midfielder Eric Bailly.

- It is clear that Bailly will be the big scapegoat considering the approach, says Djordjic.

But one must not forget Gabaski's effort that came in and made the decisive save.

- He comes into a very difficult stage instead of El Shenawy who has been cruel throughout the match, he makes some nice saves during extra time and then he makes the important save on Bailly's penalty, says Bojan Djordjic.