RELIVE: Botswana vs Egypt (CAN 2015 qualifiers)

Ahram Online provided a live coverage of Egypt's game against Botswana in the 2015 African Nations Cup qualifiers on Friday

Full time: Botswana 0-2 Egypt
The referee blows his final whistle, Egypt revive their Nations Cup hopes with a 2-0 win over Botswana
90+1 Egypt make their third and final substitution. Smouha midfielder Ibrahim Abdel-Khalek replaces Elneny, who gave Egypt the lead with a powerful shot.
90' The referee signals a two-minute stoppage time.
88' Mohamed Salah makes a marauding run on the break, superbly skips past a couple of defender to cut inside and send a low cross that goes begging. What a chance for Egypt!
87' Ahmed El-Shennawy pulls off a fine save to claw away a corner that was going directly into the net.
85' Egypt move the ball around smoothly on the edge of the Botswana area.
82' With eight minutes remaining, it's highly unlikely that a tame Botswana side can spring a major surprise. Egypt look very comfortable on the ball in the closing stages.
80' Egypt make their second substitution. Amr Gamal makes way for Zamalek striker Khaled Qamar.
77' At the other end, El-Shennawy's mis-timed jump allows a cross to go past him but the Egypt defence clears.
77' A tame volley by Ayman Hefni is handled by Dambe.
75' The visitors look on the brink of adding a third, with Botswana's defence in a state of disarray.
73' Egypt almost make it three!! But a Botswana defender clears an overhead kick from Hefni off the line after the keeper made a rare mistake, failing to handle a corner.
71' Egypt are still in total control. Botswana are offering very little upfront.
69' Egypt make their first substitution. Zamalek playmaker Ayman Hefni replaces Walid Soliman, who looks tired.
66' A cross-cum-shot from Mohamed Abdel-Shafi is tipped over by Botswana keeper Dambe.
64' The three points look in the bag as Egypt seek to revive their hopes of reaching next year's Nations Cup finals in Morocco.
62' Mohamed Salah finally finds the net, receiving a lay-off from Amr Gamal with a low shot into the bottom corner of the net from the edge of the area.
62' GOAL FOR EGYPT!!
60' Egypt will be looking to double their advantage and put the result beyond doubt.
58' In a rare Botswana effort, a cross is collected by Egypt keeper Ahmed El-Shennawy.
57' A right-foot, long-range piledriver from central midfielder Mohamed Elneny leaves Dambe with no chance, hitting the top corner of the net for Egypt's opening goal.
56' GOAL FOR EGYPT!!!
54' Another low shot, this time from Amr El-Sulaya, goes wide of the post. Egypt are still toothless.
52' Walid Soliman tries his luck from distance but, once again, Dambe easily saves it.
50' The Pharaohs are struggling in the final third, with their tame attempts barely troubling Botswana's backline.
47' Egypt are expected to stick to the same strategy they adopted in the first half. But should the score remain goalless, Gharib may have to introduce another striker.
The second half is underway
The referee blows the half-time whistle
45' The referee signals a two-minute stoppage time.
45' Mohamed Salah sends another weak shot into the safe hands of Dambe.
43' Walid Soliman steals possession from a Botswana defender and sends a curling shot but it's too weak to trouble the impressive Dambe.
41' Botswana'sEdwin Olerile receives a yellow card for a crude challenge on Amr El-Sulaya.
39' The Pharaohs ease off a bit in the closing stages of the first half.
36' Mohamed Salah was about to create space for himself in the area in a promising attempt, but three Botswana defenders surround him to clear the danger.
34' Egypt look dangerous with some defence-splitting passes. Walid Soliman and Mohamed Salah are lively.
33' Egypt look close to opening the scoring.
31' Another goal-scoring opportunity for Egypt!! Mohamed Salah superbly skips past his challenger on the right hand side of the area to break clear. But his low, weak shot from a tight angle is saved by Dambe.
31' The first chance for Egypt!! Walid Soliman picks out El-Sulaya with a chipped pass at the far post. The Ismaily midfielders towers to send a header just wide of the post.
29' Egypt's forwards are let down by poor control of the ball on the edge of the area.
27' Egypt's lone striker Amr Gamal repeatedly drifts back to give his onrushing teammates the chance to exploit the gaps in Botswana's backline.
25' Botswana keeper Dambe rushes out in a timely manner to handle a chipped pass from Mohamed Salah.
24' Egypt are relatively in control, but they are still unable to carve out openings.
23' Ahmed Fathi floats a free-kick into the area but Botswana's defence clears the ball.
20' Egypt midfielder Amr El-Sulaya swivels and lets fly from distance but his shot is easily collected by Kabelo Dambe.
19' Botswana's passes are wayward. They are struggling to move the ball around.
17' Egypt's first half-chance for Egypt sees a poor shot from Amr Gamal goes high over from the edge of the area. Egypt are repeatedly exposing the gaps down Botswana's left flank.
14' Botswana keeper Kabelo Dambe is receiving treatment on the pitch after jumping high to handle a corner, hurting his back in the process.
13' Mohamed Salah releases Amr Gamal with a through pass on the right hand side of the penalty area but the latter's attempted cross is blocked by a defender.
11' No threats so far. Egypt have the better possession but they are still looking to create goal-scoring opportunities.
9' Another inaccurate corner kick is easily dealt with by Botswana's defenders.
8' A series of Egyptian passes are finally interrupted on the edge of the area. Egypt are awarded a corner.
6' Egypt's build-up play is repeatedly interrupted by Botswana's defensive midfielders.
4' Winger Walid Soliman makes Egypt's first foray forward, running down the left and attempting to whip in a cross but it's deflected out for a corner.
1' Egypt, wearing the away white kit, are expected to mount an early onslaught against their unfancied opponents.
The match is underway
Botswana's starting line-up: Kabelo Dambe, Obonye Moswate, Obuile Ncenga, Boitumelo Mafoko, Edwin Olerile, Mosha Gaolaolwe, Segolame Boy, Joel Mogorosi, Mogakolodi Ngele, Lemponye Tshireletso, Jerome Ramatlhakwana.
Egypt's starting line-up: Ahmed El-Shennawy; Ahmed Fathi, Mohamed Naguib, Saad Samir, Mohamed Abdel-Shafi; Ibrahim Salah, Mohamed Elneny, Amr El-Sulaya; Walid Soliman, Mohamed Salah, Amr Gamal.
18:25 Both sides are lining up for the national anthems.
18:20 Much of the pitch is mud without much grass! It looks Egypt's task will be tought tonight.
18:00 Both sides are warming up, around 30 minutes before kick-off. Will Egypt revive their qualification hopes?
17:40 Three holding midfielders are deployed: Ibrahim Salah, Mohamed Elneny and Amr El-Sulaya. Attacking midfielders Walid Soliman and Mohamed Salah will support lone striker Amr Gamal.
17:30 Egypt's Gharib reshuffles his defence, introducing Ahly duo Mohamed Naguib and Saad Samir in the heart of a four-man backline. Fathi is deployed as a right-back instead of Elmohamady, with Mohamed Abdel-Shafi occupying the left-back berth.
16:45 Local reports suggest that the under-fire Gharib will be shown the door should Egypt fail to beat Botswana tonight. Gharib took over at the national team after Bob Bradley departed following Egypt's failure to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
16:00 Will Gharib use his traditional 3-5-2 formation or switch to a more offensive approach seeing that he needs to win this game to revive his chances in this Group.
15:15 Coach Shawky Gharib will reshuffle his defense as he called up Ahly's duo Saad Samir and Mohamed Naguib in addition to Zamalek debutant Ali Gabr. He dropped Ali Ghazzal, Ahmed Saied "Okka" and Ahmed Hegazy who were blamed for Egypt's poor defending against Senegal and Tunisia.
14:10 "Egypt will improve against Botswana because the player are in a much better shape now after the league resumption," says former Egypt skipper Ahmed Hassan, who is currently in the national team's staff.
13:00 The significance of the match arises from the fact that the record-holding seven-time African champions Egypt can hardly afford to miss out on a third consecutive CAN berth, after uncharacteristically failing to qualify for the previous two editions.
12:00 Egypt will not be facing the best of conditions against Botswana, though, with the absence of first-choice keeper Sherif Ekramy and Hull City right-back Ahmed Elmohamady due to respective knee and back injuries taking a toll on his team.
11:00 Egypt will have no option but to secure a win over Botswana away from home when both sides face off in the 2015 African Cup of Nations qualifiers
The match kicks off at 18:30 Cairo time (GMT+2). Stay tuned.
Venue: Botswana National stadium.
Referee: Bamlak Tessema (Ethiopia)
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