Zebras suffer again in AFCON qualifier
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Monday October 13, 2014 14:57
Mohamed Salah and Mohamed Elneny’s goals in the second half powered Egypt to a 2-0 victory, leaving Zebras almost out of contention to qualify for next year’s African showpiece.
Egypt’s victory has now re-ignited their chance to qualify after log leaders, Senegal and Tunisia played to a 0-0 draw in the other Group G match on Friday.
Egypt, just like Zebras went into Friday match in desperate need of maximum points, having lost their first two matches in the group against Tunisia and Senegal.
The Pharoahs are now just four points behind the leading pair (Tunisia and Senegal) while Zebras need a miracle to find themselves playing in the finals in Morocco next year.
Egypt and Zebras meet again in Cairo this Wednesday in the second leg while Senegal and Tunisia also meet again.
With Mogogi Gabonamong suspended for the Friday match and Ofentse Nato having been dropped because of an alleged indiscipline, Zebras were thin in terms of options in the middle of the park.
Zebras played with one holding midfielder, Mosha Gaolaolwe while two other midfield partners, Mogakolodi Ngele and Segolame Boy were naturally attacking players.
Egypt took control of the proceedings early on in the match and Zebras were seen chasing shadows most of the time in the second half.
As expected, Egyptian players were technically superior on the day and always posed danger when going forward.
Salah’s mobility gave Zebras’ defence a torrid time. After controlling the match for sometime in the first half, Egypt caused a scare in the 30th minute.
Ahmed Fathy delivered a dangerous cross in the box, finding an unmarked Salah but Zebras survived temporarily when he headed wide.
Two minutes later, The Pharoahs arrived once more into the Zebras territory.
Salah managed to beat Oscar Ncenga and looked set to put his side upfront but Zebras goalkeeper, Kabelo Dambe saved the situation.
Zebras’ defence seemed to struggle to deal with Salah, Fathy and Walid Soliman who used Zebras’ left back position as their entry point into Zebras’ area.
Edwin Olerile looked unsettled and struggled to match Egypt’s attacks especially in the first half.
Zebras got into the match bit by bit in the middle of the first half. They started stringing several passes without being interrupted unlike early in the half.
Segolame Boy proved once again that despite his age, he has big match temperament and Zebras looked they could steal something every time he moved forward with the ball.
Both sides could not find the back of the net before the half time break.
Right at the start of the second half, Zebras made double substitution with Oscar Ncenga making way for Leutlwetse Tshireletso.
Ncenga has been struggling with injury and was doubtful for the Friday game, but managed to pass late fitness test.
Lemponye Tshireletso was also taken out and Thato Ogopotse replaced him. Ogopotse partnered Gaolaolwe in the middle of the park and Boy moved to the wing.
Egypt took the lead in the 56th minute when midfielder, Elneny smashed a long range shot at the top corner, giving Dambe no chance.
The goal silenced the crowd that filled the National Stadium to almost full capacity. Despite Zebras making another substitution taking out ineffective Ngele and putting in Khumoetsile Kufigwa, it was Egypt who continued to pose danger going forward.
Salah increased the lead in the 62nd minute following a good interchange by the Pharoahs.
Although Zebras had some few good moments in as far as possession was concerned, they struggled to create clear-cut scoring chances.
Salah nearly scored his second moments later after Dambe failed to cut a cross but Olerile cleared Salah’s goal attempt with a bicycle kick off the line.
Zebras’ chance came towards the end of the game when Egypt goalkeeper, Ahmed Elshenawy failed to handle a cross into the box but his defence was quick to clear before Zebras attackers could pounce.
Zebras will be boosted by the return of Gabonamong from suspension going into Wednesday’s match.
Line-ups:
Zebras: Dambe, Obonye Moswate, Olerile, Ncenga (Leutlwetse Tshireletso), Boitumelo Mafoko, Gaolaolwe, Joel Mogorosi, Ngele (Kufigwa), Jerome Ramatlhakwana, Boy, Lemponye Tshireletso (Ogopotse)
Egypt: Elshenawy, Fathy, Mohamed Abdelshafy, Mohamed Nagilb, Saadeldin Samir, Ibrahim Salah, Elneny, Amr, Elsoulia, Walid Soliman (Aly Hefny), Amr Gamal (Aly Gabr), Mohammed Salah