Johannesburg — Africa's two contenders in the Confederations Cup - the curtain-raiser to next year's World Cup - are riding high after doing relatively well in the first part of the tournament.
Egypt and South Africa are the only two African teams playing in the tournament , which is taking place at four venues in the northern provinces of South Africa.
The host nation's Bafana Bafana, who have struggled to find any form in recent years, disappointed their fans in their opening match when they drew with lowly Iraq.
But the South Africans redeemed themselves when they beat New Zealand 2-0, and maintained their self-respect by holding the powerful Spanish team to a 2-goal winning margin on Saturday night (0-2).
A 0-0 draw between Iraq and New Zealand the same night booked South Africa's boys a place in the semi-finals, a prospect that looked unlikely to South Africans who have followed the team's trials, tantrums and tribulations in recent years.
Egypt came into the tournament with a better name to defend than South Africa, having successfully retained their place as Africa's top team by winning the last Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Ghana.
In their first Confeds Cup game, they lost to Brazil (3-4), but were boosted by inflicting a shock defeat (1-0) on Italy on Thursday.
Of that game, AllAfrica's Aliou Goloko writes:
A game between the champions of Africa and the world champions was always going to create tensions and suspense, even though the odds were against Egypt, who were facing a four-times world champion side.
But on the day, Hassan Shehata’s boys succeeded in dodging all the traps set by the Italians to register their first victory in the tournament.
Marcello Liippi, the Italian coach, was right in saying that the Egyptians are not back-to-back African champions for nothing. Judging from their performance against Brazil, where they came from 3-0 down to draw level and lost 3-4 only thanks to a late penalty awarded to the Brazilians, there is every reason to be wary of the Pharaohs.
Walking into Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg, the Egyptians were confident and conscious of the issues at stake.
From a well-taken corner from Abou Trika, an unchallenged Mohamad Homos headed the ball past Gianluigi Buffon at the 40th minute (1-0). By opening the score against an opposition like Italy, Egypt had sprung their first surprise.
El Hadary at his best
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The upset was made possible by a certain El Hadary, the same keeper who assured the Egyptians of their Cup of Nations trophy in Ghana in 2008.
Confronted with the youthful and high-spirited selection of Marcello Lippi, led by Iaquinta, Quaglierella, Rossi and Montolivo, the keeper from FC Sion, with all his experience and know-how, proved up to the challenge and repelled all the attempts at his goal.
There were occasions in the second half where attackers like Pirlo (63rd minute), the Juventus stricker Iaquinta (71st and 79th minute), and also the substitute Montolivo (75th minute), came close but failed to beat the vigilance of El Hadary.
When he was beaten, the crossbar came to his aid, denying the Italians an equalizer. HIs numerous saves enable his team to nurse their dream of going through to the semi-finals.
Before this game El Hadary would have been counted among the best goalkeepers in Africa; now he would certainly be counted amongst the best in the would, together with his opposite number on Italy's side, Buffon.
