It's semifinal time over at the African Cup, and the lineup consists of hosts Egypt taking on Senegal, and Nigeria against Cote D'Ivoire in the other match.
(Editorial note: I've decided on saying "Cote D'Ivoire" rather than the Anglicized "Ivory Coast," partially because it's what they are officially designated at the FIFA website, and partially because it sounds cooler.)
Of these four, only the Ivorians, who prevailed in a monumental 12-11 penalty shootout against Cameroon (in which Samuel Eto'o, of all people, missed the critical penalty), are going to the World Cup. I doubt early elimination is going to hurt unduly the chances of Tunisia, Togo, Angola and Ghana at the World Cup, but I do think the Ivorians gain a great psychological benefit if they overcome Nigeria tomorrow. An appearance in the finals, and a tournament performance in which they beat both of the giants of African soccer, will give them incredible confidence as they prepare for that tricky Argentina-Holland group.
In the other match, I would expect the hosts to brush aside Senegal, who only won one match in the group stages, and to come back to win against underdogs Guinea in the quarters.
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