Unlucky Egypt lost 3-2 to Morocco in the CAF U-23 Championship, Egypt has to beat Senegal on the 10th of November 2011 (3rd place match) to qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games Championship in London.
Egypt’s hope to end a 20-year Olympic Games drought is put on hold after they slumped to a 3-2 defeat by hosts Morocco in a thrilling African Championship semi-final clash on Wednesday.
The win sends Morocco to the tournament’s final and gives them the second African place at next year’s London Games. Gabon have also qualified for the Olympics after beating Senegal 1-0 on Tuesday.
Egypt were stunned when Morocco went two up in the first nine minutes, thanks to a brace from Abdelaziz Barrada.
The young Pharaohs pulled one back through a goal from Mohamed Salah but Morocco bagged a third six minutes past the hour mark after Youness Mokhtar made the most of recurring defensive blunders.
Forward Ahmed Sherweida narrowed the gap with seven minutes remaining but Egypt could not score a decisive equalizer to miss out on the chance of guaranteeing a place at the Olympic Games for the first time since 1992.
Egypt can still fulfill their target if they beat Senegal in the third-place playoff on Saturday. If they lose, they will face an Asian representative in a playoff for their last opportunity.
First Half / Goals + Highlights
Egypt 2-3 Morocco
[youtube]ovTvp8RB3n0[/youtube]Second Half / Goals + Highlights
[youtube]UzItx5h2p7A[/youtube]
