Egypt's other goals came from 39-year-old veteran Hossan Hassan -- his 79th in 175 internationals -- and Imad Motaeb, his third in two games, while the DRC's was an own goal by Ahmed El Saka.

In truth the margin flattered Egypt, who now play Senegal for a place in the final, as the DRC paid for having both their first choice central defenders suspended.

"I think the score was a little bit harsh," said DRC coach Claude Le Roy who also announced he was probably going to quit despite having a contract to June.

"With our suspensions we had to put together a new defence and they made several basic errors. However I believe that the team played a wonderful last 30 minutes.

"Hats off to Egypt. Our adventure is over but theirs continues."

Egypt assistant coach Shawky Gharib praised his side.

"This was their best performance of the tournament so far," said Gharib.

"We stepped up a gear and the players should be proud. We do not have an easy route to the final and we will not underestimate Senegal."

DRC's captain Lomana LuaLua gave the hosts an early alert when within 30 seconds of the start he twisted and turned and fired in a shot from outside the area, which just curled round the left hand post.

Egypt replied in kind as Mohammed Barakat fired in low from a tight angle which went the wrong side of the post.

The Congolese, though, then let their minds wander as within two minutes both their fullbacks were badly caught out.

First Amr Zaki, alone on the right, had his shot blocked by 'keeper Pascal Kalemba and then Tarek El Sayed got free on the left but his superb cross evaded the onrushing Motaeb.

It was beginning to look ominous for the DRC as in the 10th minute their makeshift defence was again exposed and a scramble in the six yard box ended with 39-year-old Hassan firing tamely into the hands of Kalemba.

Hassan, scorer of seven goals in the 1998 edition which Egypt won, was linking well with Motaeb and twice the younger striker laid it back to his evergreen partner but the veteran was unable to add to his career tally.

LuaLua then got to the by-line and found Biscotte Mbala but the diminutive midfielder spooned the ball over the top.

That miss proved costly as five minutes later Egypt were awarded a penalty when Ndandu Kasongo's late tackle on Elsayed saw referee Modou Sowe point directly to the spot.

Although Kalemba went the right way former skipper Ahmed Hasan's spot kick was too powerful and Egypt were in front.

Eight minutes later Kasongo committed another howler letting Ahmed Hasan's long pass drop over him to Hossam Hassan and the captain slotted it home gleefully with a powerful drive.

However seldom have 74,000 people been silenced so abruptly as El Saka deflected a shot from Cyrille Mubiala into his own net in injury-time to give the DRC some hope.

They were nearly caught cold within two minutes of the restart as the defence failed to clear the ball and Hossan Hassan pounced but his shot from close range was brilliantly saved by Kalemba with his feet.

His opposite number Essam El Hadary also had to be at his best four minutes later as he recovered from making a poor clearance to beat out a fierce effort from Zola Matumona.

Le Roy had seen enough of Kasongo by this stage and substituted the unfortunate defensive novice, but it was to be Kalemba again who saved his team as he pulled off a breathtaking one-handed save from Amr Zaki and then bravely blocked Motaeb's follow up.

However an appalling mix-up in his central defence resulted in Motaeb's goal.

DR Congo failed to deal with Zaki's run into the area and when the chance arose to clear it they instead passed it to Motaeb -- their pleas of handball against Zaki fell on deaf ears.

There was still fight left in the DRC, though, and Mbala went devilishly close to reducing the deficit in the 65th minute as his curling freekick from the left dropped just onto the top of the net.

Mbala was playing some of the best football and a quite mesmerising solo run took him into the box. He left the Egyptians flatfooted but his shot rattled off the bar.

Two minutes from time, Hasan added his second and his team's fourth from a direct freekick.