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Egypt grab consolation win in Nations Cup qualifiers Egypt, who are represented by the U-23 side, down Niger 3-0 at home to claim their first win in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers
Egypt crushed Niger 3-0 in Cairo to grab a consolation win in the last round of the African Cup of Nations qualifiers on Saturday. A second-half brace from striker Marwan Mohsen and a goal from attacking midfielder Mohamed Salah gave the Pharaohs, who had already lost hopes of defending the title they won a record seven times, their first Group G win in the last round. Niger finished with ten men after Kofi Dankwa was dismissed for a second bookable offence six minutes from time. South Africa, Sierra Leone and Niger finished level on nine points but the latter qualified due to their superior record in matches involving the three teams. Egypt, who will be managed by American coach Bob Bradley, could only collect five points. Hassan nears record Egypt skipper Ahmed Hassan, who was the only senior player to be included in the Pharaohs' squad, was named in the starting line up to close to within one match of equaling the record of 178 international appearances held by former Saudi Arabia keeper Mohamed Al-Deayea. A sluggish Egypt side allowed Niger to have the upper hand in the first half although the hosts could have opened the scoring after 12 minutes when a free header by Hassan struck the bar. Niger went close to breaking the deadlock on several occasions but were denied by in-form goalkeeper Ahmed El-Shennawy, tipped to become the successor of veteran guardian Essam El-Hadary. The Masry goalie tipped over a dipping volley from Chikoto Mohamed after 26 minutes before thwarting a close-range shot from Alhassane Issoufou eight minutes later following a defensive lapse. Egypt gained complete control in the second half to kill off the visitors' hopes of qualifying for the biennial tournament for the first time in their history. Petrojet's Mohsen opened the scoring two minutes after the restart when he converted a low cross from right-back Omar Gaber. Salah, a lively performer throughout the game, added the second in the 54th minute when he exchanged passes with Arab Contractors teammate Mohamed El-Nenni to beat the offside trap and notch home with aplomb. Mohsen wrapped up the win on 71 minutes when he outpaced his marker to run onto a threaded pass from substitute Saleh Gomaa and sends a delicate shot over the keeper and into the net.
