كتب : Omar AbdelAziz
An 83rd minute strike from Moussa Kone sealed a crucial win for the Ivorians, who overtake Egypt for the top spot by claiming their fourth point.
Hany Ramzy’s men will have to wait until their final group game against South Africa on Saturday to make another attempt for the last four.
Earlier on Wednesday, South Africa and Gabon played out a 1-1 draw, which means that Egypt are second with three points from two games.
The top two teams in groups A and B reach the semis as finalists go through to the 2012 Olympic Games, along with the third-placed nation. The fourth semi-finalist face an Asian team in a playoff.
The Ivorians vs. Al-Shennawi
It was a game that was mostly dominated by Ivory Coast, with Egypt goalkeeper Ahmed Al-Shennawi producing a vintage display in goal.
The up-and-coming keeper was arguably Egypt’s best performer after making a string of classy saves to deny strikers Kone and Lacina Traore on several occasions.
Egypt were relatively better in the second half and Al-Shennawi was only beaten by a scruffy goal from Kone, who was allowed to poach in following an untidy play inside Egypt’s box.
A clear-on goal Traore almost made it two near the end but the vigilant Al-Shennawi was there to deny the towering Ivory Coast striker.