Egypt debuted in Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with three points
Egypt marked the debut of new coach Ehab Galal with an uninspiring display but still snatched a 1-0 home win over Guinea in their opening African Cup of Nations qualifier on Sunday, thanks to a late fortuitous goal from substitute Mostafa Mohamed.
The Galatasaray striker came on five minutes past the hour mark as Galal sought to beef up what was otherwise a toothless attack, with Guinea having the better of goal-scoring chances at Cairo’s International Stadium.
Egypt rode their luck with three minutes remaining as a deflected shot from Mohamed wrong-footed keeper Ibrahim Kone and gave them an opening Group D win before they meet Ethiopia in Malawi on Thursday.
Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah, who came face-to-face with club teammate Naby Keita of Guinea, looked isolated throughout as Egypt struggled for openings upfront and survived a couple of scares at the other end.
The Pharaohs, who kicked off their bid to atone for an agonizing shootout loss to Senegal in the Nations Cup final last February, moved level on three points with Malawi, who beat Ethiopia 2-1 earlier in the day.
The top two in the group will reach next year’s Nations Cup finals in the Ivory Coast.
Highlights: Egypt 1-0 Guinea
