Nigeria beat Zambia on penalties after Egypt defeat Cameroon 3-1 in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals.

Vincent Enyeama emerged the hero for Nigeria, saving one penalty and scoring another as the Aegles booked a semi final date with old foe and West African neighbor Ghana.

Regulation time ended goaless while the extra time also failed to produce any goals and it came down to penalties.

Nigeria started well only to fall behind in the last minutes of the first half and the second half performance of the eagles was not better either.

Yusuf Mohammed was forced to make two goalline clearances in the second half as Nigeria held on to take the game to extra time.

And the Super Eagles almost won it in the end when Mikel scooped a fine ball over the Zambian defense for Martins. The ball failed to settle for the Wolfsburg striker and he volleyed high.

It was down to penalties. With both sides converting their first three kicks, Thomas Nyirenda saw his kick saved well by Enyeama. After Osaze Odemwingie converted his spotkick, it came down to a confrontation between the goalkeepers.

Thomas Mweene beat Enyeama, and the Nigeria goalkeeper sent his team through to the semifinal with a well taken effort, sending his opposite number the wrong way.