Wael Gomaa insists defending champions Egypt are not thinking about revenge ahead of their African Nations Cup semi-final against arch rivals Algeria.

The two north-African giants meet in Benguela for the right to face either Ghana or Nigeria who will clash in the other last-four clash, a derby from the west of the continent.

But there is no doubt that most of the tension will be at the Estadio Nacional de Ombaka where Hassan Shehata's team will be aiming to make up for the disappointment of missing out on a World Cup place with a win over the Desert Foxes.

Speaking after overcoming Cameroon 3-1 in the quarter-final, veteran defender Gomaa said: ''Against Cameroon, we were partially focused on the potential meeting with Algeria. It affected our performance. But we are not thinking of revenge. We only want to win.

''We are eager to reach the final and win the cup in order to compensate the fans after our failure to make the World Cup.''

The failure he was referring to is their most recent with Algeria in a play-off game in Sudan that was won 1-0 by Rabah Saadane's men and handed them a place at the finals in South Africa.

It was a game in November which was needed after the pair were tied on the same points and goal difference in the qualifiers after the final group stage.

The Algerians may have won, but only after several violent incidents involving fans and reported cases of attacks on the team buses by rival supporters, which FIFA are investigating.

Striker Mohamed Zidan, whose side are at full strength for the game, added: ''It will be a matter of life and death in that game. For both sides it will be like a war.

''For us it is a chance to show the world that we deserve to go to the World Cup and if we beat them, we will be able to watch the World Cup with pride.''

Algeria have been given good news in the build-up after playmaker Karim Ziani was passed fit after a thigh problem threatened to derail his chances of playing, while goalkeeper Faouzi Chaouchi - one of the heroes in the 3-2 win over Ivory Coast - has also been cleared.

Coach Saadane said: ''Thank God we have worthily represented Arab and African football. The performance of our players has greatly improved (as the tournament has progressed). We hope to continue the adventure in this competition.''