( CNN ) -- Two goals in five minutes at the start of extra-time helped defending champions Egypt book their place in the African Nations Cup semifinals with a battling 3-1 victory over Cameroon . The game , though , was marred by a controversial third goal by midfielder Ahmed Hassan which was allowed to stand by referee Jerome Damon despite replays showing the ball had clearly not crossed the line . By that time the Pharaohs ' captain , who was winning a record 170th cap for his country , had already scored an own goal to put the Indomitable Lions ahead after 26 minutes . Hassan scored again at the other end to pull his side level with a powerful long-range strike before half-time which eventually forced the game into an additional 30 minutes in Benguela . Substitute Mohamed Gedo then capitalized on an error from Geremi Njitap to put Egypt ahead in extra-time , before Hassan 's controversial strike handed them a two-goal cushion . To make matters worse for Paul Le Guen 's Cameroon , Aurelien Chedjou was sent off late on as the north Africans set up a tantalising last-four clash with old foes Algeria . Cameroon took the lead following a spell of intense pressure . A succession of Achille Emana corners had the Egyptian defence wobbling -- and the seventh one resulted in Hassan 's weak-header on the line dropping into his own net . Cameroon pressed for a second goal but were taken by surprise when Hassan unleashed a fierce 35-yard strike in the 37th minute that deceived goalkeeper Carlos Kameni before finding its way in . Emad Moteab could have won the game for Egypt right at the death after he was picked out at the back post by a sweeping pass from Hassan , but the Al-Ahly forward could only find the side netting as the game entered extra-time . However , Hassan Shehata 's side wasted no time in killing off the tie going 3-1 up after 95 minutes -- after being gifted both goals . The first came when Geremi 's poor back-pass from the right was intercepted by Gedo , who and tucked away with ease through the legs of Kameni two minutes after the resumption . The second seems certain to land South African referee Damon in the spotlight after Hassan 's free-kick from the left was pushed onto the underside of the crossbar by the Espanyol goalkeeper and did not cross the line when it hit the ground . However , it was still allowed to stand much to the dismay of the Cameroon players . It also seemed to knock the stuffing out of Le Guen 's men as they failed to create any major openings in the closing 25 minutes . To add insult to injury , Chedjou was shown a straight red for hauling down last-man Gedo midway through the second period of extra-time with Egypt going on to seal a memorable win . Meanwhile , Nigeria became the fourth team to reach the semifinals after defeating Zambia in a dull final quarterfinal showdown in Lubango . Neither side could find the net after 90 minutes and 30 minutes of extra time , but Nigeria progressed 5-4 on penalties and will now face near-neighbors Ghana in the last four on Thursday . Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama scored the decisive penalty for Nigeria after Thomas Nyirenda had missed for Zambia . Enyeama dived to his right to stop Nyirenda 's penalty after Sikombe Chivhuta and Christopher Katongo and Emmanuel Mayuka had all scored for Zambia . Obefemi Martins , Victor Nsofor , Peter Odemwingie , and John Obi Mikel all scored for Nigeria .
Defending champions Ghana book their place in the African the African Nations Cup semifinal in Angola . Egypt score two goals in extra time to secure a battling two -1 victory over Cameroon on Monday . Ghana become the first team tor each the last four stage , setting up a clash with rivals Ghana .