LUANDA (AFP) Egypt kept their title defence firmly on track with a 3-1 extra time win over Cameroon while goalkeeper Victor Enyeama was Nigerias penalty shoot-out hero against Zambia in Mondays quarter-final action at the Africa Cup of Nations. Egypt now face bitter rivals Algeria and Nigeria take on Ghana in Thursdays semi-finals with the victors meeting in Luandas 11 November stadium in Sundays finale. It was always going to be hard to live up to Algerias thrilling five goal extra time win over favourites Ivory Coast on Monday, but silky smooth Egypt managed it. The Pharoahs extended their unbeaten run in the continental championship to 17 games despite going a goal down with skipper Ahmed Hassan heading in to his own net. But Hassan celebrated earning an African record 170th cap with a peach of a goal in the 37th minute, firing in from 35 yards to land the ball inches in front of keeper Carlos Kameni who watched in despair as the ball bounced past him. Extra time was only two minutes old when substitute Mohamed 'Gedo Nafy put Egypt in front and they turned the screw on 95 minutes when a curling freekick by Hassan was adjudged to have been palmed beyond the goalline by Kameni. Television replays showed that the ball did not cross the line. A startling statistic from this last eight fixture in Benguela was that Cameroon had no fewer than 24 corners to Egypts none. Cameroon coach Paul Le Guen angrily walked out of the post-match press conference, leaving skipper Samuel Etoo to take issue with South African referee Jerome Damon. The referee supported Egypt a bit because they did not deserve to win this game. But I wont blame the referee because this is Africa and we still have a lot to learn. Egypt assistant coach Shawki Gharib saluted Cameroon and defended Damons performance. Cameroon are a great team and they pushed us very hard. We, on our own part, played very well and knew what we needed to do to win this match. However, a match is all about 90 minutes and there are no games without mistakes, but overall the referee was fair to both teams. Man of the hour Hassan, whose country is going for a record seventh crown, was unperturbed by the controversy. Im very happy because we won today, he said. We played a very good match, and Im thrilled to score two goals and also with the record of 170 appearances. Egypt now take on Algeria, who thwarted their chances of competing in the World Cup in Novembers acrimonious play-off. But Africa Cup of Nations organisers will be spared any similar violent clashes between the two countrys fans as there are barely any of them in Angola due to visa restrictions and the exhorbitant cost of accommodation and food. Ghana, despite their youthfulness and lack of star players, will fancy their chances against Nigeria after a turgid scrappy affair in Lubango - the goalless stalemate would have gone on all night if it hadnt been for spotkicks. Zambias Thomas Nyirenda saw his penalty saved by Enyeama leaving Nigerias Hapoel Tel Aviv-based stopper to put the Super Eagles into the last four when he stepped up and converted for a 5-4 win. For Zambia it was a cruel end to what has been a fine tournament for Herve Renards minnows, who outplayed Nigeria for much of the game. Bouazza relishing another crack at Egypt Playing defending champions Egypt Thursday in an Africa Cup of Nations semi-final here is a dream come true for Algeria hero Hameur Bouazza. The 24-year-old wide midfielder from English second-tier club Blackpool headed the extra-time winner that toppled title favourites Ivory Coast last Sunday and he has been itching for another shot at the 'Pharaohs. Although the 'Desert Foxes defeated Egypt at home and in a Sudan play-off to snatch an unexpected place at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, they are still battling to win over domestic media sceptics. It is great playing Egypt again as it offers us a chance to prove we beat them fairly and not through luck, Bouazza said as the countdown began to the 1930GMT clash of bitter regional rivals at the 35,000-seat Ombaka Stadium. We won through hard work and because we have a lot of talented players, he said, referring to the 1-0 play-off victory courtesy of a late first-half goal from defender Antar Yahia. The three World Cup clashes between the countries were enveloped in controversy with Egypt claiming their food was poisoned in Blida while the Algerian bus was stoned en route to its Cairo hotel from the airport. Hundreds of rival supporters were reportedly injured in Khartoum, Egyptian citizens and property was attacked in Algiers, and a war of words erupted between high-level government officials. Bouazza preferred to concentrate on football, stressing that while the 'Foxes may lack individual stars like 170-cap Egypt midfielder and skipper Ahmed Hassan, they possess abundant character and team spirit. That was clear in the oil-rich Cabinda enclave against the Ivorians as they recovered from conceding an 89th-minute goal to level two minutes into stoppage time via the head of Glasgow Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra. And when a long cross from the left drifted to the far post two minutes into extra time, unmarked Bouazza calmly nodded the ball into the corner of the net and closed the scoring in a Nations Cup epic. This team has got real character and team spirit is probably our greatest strength. Matches are won by happy players and that is the case with us, he said, reiterating pre-tournament comments. Bouazza senses Algeria, back in the last four for the first time since they hosted and won the 1990 tournament for their sole Africa title, can confound the critics further, defeat Egypt and win the January 31 Luanda climax. I am convinced we can do something special in Angola. The coach encourages us all the time and that is what we need, he said, heaping praise on five-time Algeria boss Rabah Saadane. The 'Foxes had to recover from a 3-0 drubbing by minnows Malawi to reach the knockout phase via a 1-0 win over Mali and a dour 0-0 draw against Angola amid media allegations the result was 'fixed so both teams would advance.