Egypt topped Group A at the African Cup of Nations after beating Ivory Coast at the Cairo International Stadium on Saturday.

Emad Moteab scored for Egypt in the ninth minute, connecting with a header back across the goal by Abdel Zaher El Saqqa.

The Ivory Coast then seized the initiative, with Aruna Kone scoring a 43rd-minute equalizer with a blistering strike from 25 meters.

But an early second half goal from Mohamed Aboutrika, followed by Moteab's 73rd minute strike, scaled the win for the Pharaohs.

Egypt goalkeeper Essam El Hadary also played a key role, making a string of saves, Ahmed "Mido" Hassam, who limped off in the first-half with a groin injury and was replaced by veteran Hossam Hassan, said he hoped to be fit in time for Egypt's quarter-final game.

Despite the defeat, Ivory Coast had already qualified for the last eight, after winning their first two group matches against Libya and Morocco.